Hello my dears. I would like to thank Guest, the only daughter of Pluto, Guest, Guest, Raven White Fox, OechsnerC, Gingeraffealene, emrysmorgan, Narya Anima, Guardian of the Inheritance, gaylelbf, AndreKl and NCVII for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So here is the next chapter, and I just want to say that this has not gone the way I had planned it. But it seems to be a bit of a recurring theme for chapters with Morgause in them. She seems to take my plot ideas twist them around and then throw them out of the window.
Anyway I hope you like what I have written.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
They attacked at dawn, using the secret tunnels that would get them inside the castle without having to go through the town. Once there they split up, Arthur wishing his men good luck before ascending the stairs with Merlin and Lancelot at his side. He did not know if he would see those who fought for Camelot again, but he hoped he would. But now was not the time to think such things. They needed to get to the cup and empty it, so the army would be removed from his kingdom.
"Which way?" he whispered at Merlin as they hid from a pair of guards patrolling the corridors.
"I don't know, why do you think –" Merlin stared to responded before suddenly getting cut off by the feeling that suddenly surrounded him making him gasp. "Oh. This way." he finished with leading the two with him down a corridor. Luckily Arthur was aware of the need for silence or he would have enjoyed mocking Merlin for that little outburst.
Of course their luck did not hold for long, and soon they found themselves fighting guards as they made their way towards the room the cup was held. Lancelot and Arthur worked together to distract them, allowing one at a time past their guard so that Merlin could finish them with the only weapon they had that could destroy the immortals. The dance of battle worked well for the three of them, with Lancelot and Arthur having trained together briefly, and Merlin being in-tune with the both of them. As such they dispatched the enemy with ease.
"Come on." Arthur muttered quietly as they moved forwards once more. It would be best if they could do this without the warning bell being rung, though he did not think for a minute they would succeed, but hey, he liked to think positive.
They reached the room without having to stop too many times, it was almost as if the guards around this area were lighter than they should be, though Arthur was pretty sure the reverse should have been the case. Maybe there were less soldiers here than he thought. Maybe Morgause had most of her army out looking for them. Of course it was at that moment the bell started to toll and Arthur knew they would not be as alone as they currently were for long. "Quickly." He called to the two with him before rounding the corner and stopping short at the row of soldiers standing guard outside the room.
"So much for stealth." Merlin muttered behind him but Arthur just smiled, before he lifted his sword, the immortal words "for the love of Camelot." On his lips as he charged the men guarding the door.
Merlin rushed to follow him, cursing in his mind the stupidity of kings, but he did make sure he stayed out of Arthur and Lancelot's way, making sure he did the job he had been brought to do. Remove the enemy with the sword in his hand.
The skirmish was quick but hard fought, and not all the guards were down when they entered the room, managing to close and lock the door behind them. They all breathed a sigh of relief at achieving their goal. At succeeding in reaching the room the cup was held in. All they needed to do now was empty of the blood and Camelot would once more be theirs.
Of course it was at this point that they turned, only to be confronted with Morgause, standing beside the plinth the cup was resting upon.
"I am not here to stop you, Emrys." She said as they all stood silent staring at her. She had come because she knew Emrys would be here, and she wanted the chance to meet him. To look into his eyes before Arthur sentenced her to death. She needed to see him. Needed to know that the death she had caused would not be in vein. Needed to know that he would protect their people when she could no longer do it.
She had had much time to think over the last couple of days, time she had spent trying to work out who Emrys could be. There had been a few names she had considered, but only one she really believed it could be. She was glad to see him now, standing by the side of their king. Glad to know her suspicions were in deed correct. Or at least she hoped they were and that Emrys was not in fact the strange knight who was on Arthurs other side.
Merlin heard her words, heard the ring of truth in them and knew what he needed to do. As such he straighten up to his full height and walked with purpose towards the cup, though he never removed his eyes from Morgause as he did so. Once standing there in front of it, he did not hesitate to swing the blade in his hand, knocking the cup from the stand. All watched as it tumbled, the blood inside it flying out in an arch away from the watchers. Merlin had been merciful and knocked away from the direction of Morgause.
The act of the blood hitting the column did not seem very dramatic to Arthur and Lancelot who were watching, but both Morgause and Merlin swayed backwards as if pushed by an unknown source as the cup gave up the spell it held over those who had placed their trust in it to keep them safe.
"It is done." Morgause said with finality, before dropping to her knees with her hands out to her side and her head bowed. "I surrender myself to the justice of Camelot. The justice of the once and future king, and Emrys. May the triple goddess guide your hand true."
To say Arthur was shocked by her behaviour would have been an understatement, but he knew he could not let that show now. Instead he stepped forwards, his sword in his hand as he stared down at the woman who had caused the death and pain of so many. At the woman who had killed his father in cold blood. Oh the goddess would guide his hand true alright, he though as he clenched his sword hilt, preparing to deliver a life ending blow to her exposed neck.
"Arthur, stop. You can't just kill her." Merlin interrupted rushing to stand between the two. Because as much as he would be happy to see Morgause die, she at least needed a trial. And that wasn't even factoring in the conversations he had with Morgana and how tightly the future he hoped to see was hinging on what happened to her sister.
"What would have me do, Merlin? She has killed so may, caused untold death and destruction to the kingdom. My people will not rest until she is dead." Arthur replied in frustration. He had known the possibility of this was coming. Had known of Merlin and Morgana's conversation. But seeing her there before him, head bowed ready to die, none of that had even entered his head. Only the need to get revenge for all the pain she had caused had been in his mind. The needed to avenge his father's death at her hand.
"And my people will not rest if she is." Merlin responded simply, though with his words he once more stood straight staring Arthur in the eyes as he did so. Because even if Merlin spoke of his people, he knew in truth it was Morgana he feared. It was Morgana who would not rest if her sister died at her brother's hand. And he could not, no would not, let her go down that dark path. He would do everything within his power to stop it. And standing there meeting Arthurs eyes Merlin realised something he had not before. Something he had not been convinced was true. He was willing to risk anything and everything for Albion, and if that meant letting Morgause live, letting Morgana's needs come first, then so be it. He was willing to do that for the future they could all have, together.
"She killed my father." Arthur replied a quiet desperation in his tone at the idea of letting his father's murder live. He couldn't do that, not even for Merlin. He just… he couldn't.
"No I did not, king Arthur. I gave him a choice, he chose death over abdication. Ask any of your council or court." Morgause responded raising her head as she interrupted the conversation. She did not know why Emrys wanted her to live, but if he was willing to fight for her to do so, then she would fight at his side. She knew better than to question him. His will was the will of the goddess after all.
"What? Why?" Merlin asked turning round to frown at her at her words. Because he had never even considered the idea that Morgause would have countenanced letting Uther Pendragon live.
"For Albion to be born, Arthur needed to be king. I believed him dead when I started this attack or would never have done it. When I discovered you were at his side Emrys, I knew what my role needed to be. I had to clear the throne for him, but I did not want his rein to start with vengeance upon our people. So I gave Uther a choice." Morgause replied her eyes meeting Merlin's as she did so in her serene voice. There was no remorse in her tone, nor any guilt. She knew neither would achieve anything then. It was not these men she needed to repent to, only her goddess could ever clear her of the crimes she had commented against the innocent. Only she had the power to absolve her of her guilt at the horror she had wrought upon this kingdom.
"Arthur, we need someone to collaborate or deny her story." Merlin responded, not taking his eyes from the woman still kneeing in front of him. He needed to know if she was telling the truth, because if she was, well it changed everything in his mind. If she had done what she was saying, well it gave him a possibility, a way to make sure the future he dreamed of came to be, without giving up all that he held dear.
"I will go and get Geoffrey if you wish, Sire. His rooms are the closest." Replied a voice none of them were expecting to hear. As such Merlin's head snapped round so he could see Gaius standing there in the doorway with a blank expression on his face, though his eyes radiated pride as they turned to his ward.
"Yes, thank you, Gaius." Arthur agreed. He was especially glad Gaius had suggested the other councillor, as he was also the record keeper of Camelot. He would know without a doubt if Morgause was lying. Of course he still did not know what he was going to do if she wasn't. It wasn't like he could pardon her for her actions, and if he kept her here imprisoned he knew he could not guarantee her safety, no matter what he ordered. So just how was he going to solve this one? How was he going to keep both his people and those who had been persecuted by his father happy? He had no idea… of course then another thought entered his mind making him smirk. This sounded like just the sort of situation that his first advisor would need to resolve. And well, it was all Merlin's fault she wasn't dead already, so really who better to come up with a solution than him?
Morgana had stayed behind when the knights went off to fight for Camelot. Had stayed with Gwen as they waited for word of their triumph. And while she knew Gwen stayed because she did not want to fight, Morgana's reasoning was a little more selfish. She did not want to be there if or when her sister died. She did not want to see what she had dreamed become a reality. And if Morgause did die at her brother's hand she would know. And then she would have to decide where to go. Because there was no way she would be returning to Camelot if that happened. So she had a plan. In the event of her sister's death she would leave Gwen, strike out on her own, and try to find somewhere she belonged. Where that would be she had no idea. She had not thought that far ahead, all she knew was she would need to get away. Far away where Merlin would never be able to find her.
Therefore when the time came, when the sun was in the same position she had seen it in her dream, she tensed. Waiting to feel the blow as she had when Uther died. But she felt nothing. There was nothing. She couldn't help but gasp when she realised what that meant. Merlin had done it. He had stopped her dream from coming true. He had stopped Arthur. She did not know how or why, but the idea that he had done it, that he had done it for her, it overwhelmed her in a way she had not expected. And suddenly that feeling that had been hovering just out of reach in her mind rushed through her. It was a feeling of being loved. Not because of her station, or her magic, no it was the feeling of being loved for who she really was. Of someone loving her even if they knew the bad as well as the good. Merlin loved her, all of her.
Oh she really didn't know what to do with that realisation.
Geoffrey entered the room that had been guarded since the day Camelot was taken only to find the sorceress on her knees, arms out wide in supplication. But what shocked him the most was that Merlin was standing between her and the king. Well no he was shocked she was still alive, but it did not take a genius to realise Merlin was the reason for that. What was going on?
"Geoffrey, Morgause claims she offered my father a choice before his death. Is this true?" Arthur asked turning towards the old man as he approached them.
"It is, Sire. She offered him the chance to abdicate the throne to you or death. He chose the latter." Geoffrey responded earnestly. He hadn't been sure what to make of the offer when she had presented it, still didn't in truth. But if his king wished to know, he would not lie to him.
"Thank you." Arthur replied with a nod towards the man before turning back to Merlin. "So what now, Merlin? What does my first advisor council?" He asked a smug grin appearing on his face as he knew he was putting Merlin on the spot.
At that Merlin turned back to Morgause. He knew they couldn't just let her go, not after all she had done. But he also couldn't see her killed. He needed something in the middle, though what the middle was he hadn't clue.
"How about imprisonment?" Lancelot suggested. He had followed the conversation, and could understand both sides. It was the only suggestion he could think that would please everyone, or at least not cause anyone to start another war with Camelot at least.
Of course his suggestion was met by three sets of eyes turning to him with eyebrows raised. "My people would never let her live even if she was in prison." Arthur responded simply, it was nothing but the truth after all.
"Not to mention none of the jail cells would be able to hold her for long." Merlin added addressing the question of her magic. Because while he could contain her himself, it would take a lot of effort to keep the wards in place.
"I would also rather die, than rot in Camelot's rat infested jail." Morgause finished with, voicing her thoughts on that matter. She would not be held in the jail like some common criminal. That was not how she could make her repentance to her goddess.
"You know, death is still on the table." Arthur growled at her, though whether it was because her insult towards Camelot or just the cheek she had with speaking up about it he wasn't sure. But neither sat well with him.
After his words quiet descended upon the group, though they all knew it would not last long. Soon others would be here, and they really needed to have this issue resolved before that happened. It was then that Merlin hit upon an idea.
"There is another way." he said, turning to Arthur and gesturing with his head towards the corner. This was something they needed to discuss in private.
"What is it?" Arthur asked when they got the corner, though his eyes remained on Morgause who how had Lancelot standing over her his sword at the ready if she so much a flinched.
"We could imprison her on the Isle of the Blessed. The magic there would hold her easily." Merlin said explaining the idea that had come to him. It was the only place he could think of that would hold a high priestess, all he would need to do was put in place the wards the magic of the isle would keep them renewed for him.
"You want to put her on a magical island? What could possibly make you think that is a good idea? She could raise another army against us." Arthur snapped back in disbelief at the stupidity of his friend. I mean really, could he be any more daft?
At his words Merlin rolled his eyes though he did reply in a placating tone. "She isn't going to do that Arthur. And there the only people she will see are those with magic."
"Not making me feel any better about the plan, Merlin." Arthur responded with a growl. I mean the idea that she could consort with other sorcerers really wasn't selling it to him. In fact he would much prefer she was in a place where the only people with magic she saw were Merlin and Morgana.
"She is a high priestess. Their role is to protect and guide those with magic. She would still be able to conduct her role, while also being removed from Camelot." Explained Merlin. There was no way the magical community wouldn't want to see Morgause, even if she did abuse her power. She still had her role to play in the community and the rituals of the old religion, and while he knew Morgana would be her successor he was also aware she did not have the training to do the role to the justice it deserved, not then at any rate.
"That isn't a punishment." Arthur ground out. He really didn't like this idea. It seemed to him as if Morgause was getting off scott free while his people were left to deal with the death and destruction she had caused.
"No, but it would appease everyone. She would be bound to the isle away from the kingdom, but she would still be able to help those who need it." Merlin replied. He agreed with what Arthur was saying. It wasn't a punishment, but he also believed that Morgause would create her own form of repentance, he would make sure of it. He doubted her goddess was too happy with her right then, Merlin knew he wasn't.
At that Arthur sighed, because what Merlin said was true. But, "that's not going to be enough. There is no way I can sell house arrest without some assurance that she could never harm Camelot again." He responded simply. His people were not going to happily let Morgause ride off in into the sunset to live free on her magical island.
At that Merlin frowned. They needed something else, something more. Of course then it came to him. Whether it would work he had no idea, in fact he was pretty sure it was one of the stupidest ideas he had ever had. But needs much and all that. Therefore taking a deep breath he offered up his solution. "I could bind her magic to mine. Making it so she could never raise her hand against anyone ever again."
"You can do that?" Arthur asked his eyes going wide. He had never heard of such a thing. The idea of binding people's magic, it was beyond his realms of understanding. But then he had come to the conclusion that a lot of things Merlin did were beyond his ability to understand. He had come to accept that.
"I have no idea, but I could try?" Merlin replied with a shrug and a look that said 'we might as well give it a go' on his face. Really not the reassurance Arthur was looking for in his opinion.
"You fill me with such confidence, Merlin." He responded, but he did think about it. I mean it was a solution he could sell to the council and Camelot. Her powers bond and being isolated on an island was a punishment he thought they would buy, and if her people knew the truth that she could still help them, well then everyone would be appeased. Therefore with a sigh he spoke once more. "Fine, you try. But if it doesn't work we will have to think of something else."
"Okay." Merlin agreed, though what that something else was he had no idea. So he really hoped this worked. With that in mind he stepped back, about to join the others so he and Arthur could tell them the plan. But before he could move away Arthur grabbed his arm.
"Wait, this isn't going to hurt you is it?" Arthur asked a frown on his face at the idea that this could in some way hurt Merlin. Because if it could then there was no way he was going to sanction it, no matter what happened as a result. He would not risk Merlin, it was that simple in his mind.
"Of course not." Merlin replied with his bright sunny if somewhat goofy smile on his face. That look caused Arthur to roll his eyes at him.
"You say that like you have a clue about what you're doing." He muttered back, but it was good-natured. Because while Merlin looked the same as his servant always looked, he had determination in his eyes that Arthur now knew better than to question. Merlin was going to try this, with or without his consent. The only thing Arthur could do was be there for him when he did it.
"Come on, Arthur. You know as well as I do, I never know what I'm doing." Merlin cheekily answered back, but before Arthur could say another word his friend was walking back towards their prisoner. Okay then, time to tell her the fate they had decided, and hope to whatever god was listening she would take it. Because really he didn't want to see what would happen if she didn't. He did not want to be a war with Merlin's people anymore, he wanted peace in his kingdom. Hopefully Morgause wanted that peace as much as he did, or more likely, he hoped Merlin had the power to persuade her this was the only way for her people to live free. Oh fantastic, once more his kingdoms peace hung on Merlin's powers of persuade. Just what had he done to deserve this?