A/n: I'm so sorry it took so long. Been dealing with some family things.

Enjoy!

Chapter 39

Gave In Not Gave Up

Merlin struggled to pull himself free from slumber. He fought and clawed his way, desperate to reach the surface of consciousness but he kept being pulled back down into the dark recesses of his mind by his own magic. It burked his very being in a desperate attempt to protect him from the familiar and vicious magic that assaulted him from all sides. The bond almost had Merlin snared fully in its grip. The darkness, that was Morgana, slowly swallowed him up. His mind and magic fought against the bond with everything in him. And yet the effort it took to fight his own magic from forcing him to slumber out of basic need to protect Emrys made it an almost hopeless feat. But not impossible. With great effort Merlin pried open his eyes. He flinched as the soft torch light lit upon them.. He quickly closed his eyes. Slowly, Merlin sat up.

Blinking rapidly, Merlin cleared his vision. Exhaustion had him in full grip. He squinted against the soft glow of the torch light and rubbed his temples to relieve the awful pounding that was beginning to bloom. He groaned. It was faint, like a whisper, a phantom ache but hard not to notice, disconcerting and uncomfortable. He waited a moment to allow himself to adjust before he moved.

Merlin stood steadily to his feet. Cautiously, he assessed his surroundings. It was the same tent he had fallen asleep in... and yet, not... something had fundamentally changed. Merlin looked closer at the table. There was an assortment of treats spread out, cheese, meat, fruit, as well as sweets and wine... and next to all that was a body. But that was not what caught Merlin's attention. No. What caught his attention was the Giant Assassin who stood over the body.

Merlins' heart tripped over itself as it stumbled to keep up with Merlin's erratic emotions. He was torn between feelings of relief and regret that were bordering on panic and terror. The blasted organ beat faster and harder doing its best to burst from his chest. The pulse at the base of his neck gave his panic away as it fluttered frantic like a hummingbirds' wings.

Merlin watched the Assassin for a moment, unable to make himself move. Merlin stomach knotted. His jaw flexed as he gnashed his teeth. The Assassin, Theron,. At least that was what Merlin remembered Morgana calling him. Theron bend over and hovered above the motionless body. A young man by the look of it. Merlin watched Theron silently. This creature murdered Darrin. Merlin felt that all familiar rage reignite. That thought finally broke Merlin out of his stupor. He mentally scolded himself for loosing focus and started towards Theron who was bent over the young lads body. whispering softly to it. Theron gently placed a small stone on the lads chest.

Merlin paused. He hesitated when he notice something off about the gesture. That was obviously not any normal mundane rock. Merlin, anger stamped out momentarily, watched in fascination as the stone rose inches above the body and fell once more only to float back up again. It did this in waves of two pulses. A soft muted lilac glow started in the center of the stone until the entire thing glowed. The Assassin brushed the hair from the lads face. Merlin crept forward. He was compelled by a strange curiosity to know who could evoke such tenderness from the large and merciless assassin.

Merlin, letting his wonder get the worst of him, hesitantly made his way around the table to see the face that belonged to the lad Theron cared for.

Mordred? Merlin whispered mutely. He shook his head his in denial. Mordred was alive, but not for much longer. Merlin reached out to him physically and mentally, to do what he didn't know, and never would. Merlin pulled his hand and magic back and turned away. Merlin brought his sullen gaze from Mordred to look at Theron. There was nothing to do except watch Mordred die, and Merlin had no intention of sticking around to see the tool of his enslavement complete the spell.

And yet he couldn't bring himself to leave just yet.

"You know its considered rude to stare, especially when your glare screams "I want to eviscerate you and piss on your ashes.""

Startled by Theron's sudden outburst, Merlin tensed. "Is he dead?"

Theron gave an irritated grunt, "No...Not yet."

Merlin was taken aback by Therons curt tone. The pain in those three words seared Merlin. "What are you doing? What is that?" Merlin asked, indicating the strange and unfamiliar lavender stone. He was ill at easy seeing this monstrous assassin wield magic as well as Merlin has seen anyone other than himself do since he clashed with Nimueh.

Theron didn't acknowledge Merlin as he moved closer. Theron attention was solely on the spell at hand. Therons brows drew together and his lips turned down a the corners in a frown. Therons hair sway with his movements, the beads and small gemstones woven through his thick braids clinked together softly. Merlin waited patiently for the assassin to speak.

Theron sat up and looked over at Merlin wryly, and a bit annoyed. His strange silver eyes pierced Merlin to his spot. They held Merlin in place with some unknown lost knowledge. "You'd think," Theron said, his rich deep voice thundered in the dark. "That the most powerful wizard to ever walk this earth would know an Amethyst Spirit Quirts when he saw one."

Merlin ignore the dig and cocked his head to the side to examine it. "What does it do?"

Theron grabbed the amethyst and lace a leather thong through a small hold in the stone. He then place it around his neck. "Its an amethyst spirit quirts. The use is in the name."Theron turned to leave.

What?! Merlin reeled a this news. "What..." Merlin swallowed. "What do you mean?" Merlin stepped closer. His desperation seeped through the cracks in his defense.

Theron paused and looked over his shoulder. His quick silver eyes roamed over Merlin in a lazy troll. He was surprised the great Emrys of Legend knew nothing about a Spirit Quirts. "It has the ability to do a many number of things, although its main use is to hold the spirit of a sorcerer until a new vessel can be found."

"Are...are you saying there is a way to circumvent Morganas curse?" Merlin dare not hope.

Theron gave Merlin sideways look. "Yes, and no." Theron gave him a pointed look. "It's a sentimental trick to keep a lost loved one with the wearer. When Mordred dies his soul will transfer to this Amethyst. Mordred will be essentially dead...and yet, not at all. The user will be able to hear his thoughts and at time barrow his magic, but Mordreds spirit cannot take part in the earthly realm until a willing vessel is found. " Theron paused. "Only then would the curse be weakened enough to break it."

Thereon went to leave the tent. "Wait," Merlin took a step forward as if to physically stop Theron from leaving. Theron turned back around. Merlin

"And how am I to do that?"

"It's simple," Theron grunted. He stayed quiet for a long moment. Indecision warred within him. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he ground his teeth together. Theron watched Merlin closely. He looked doubtful. "And yet extremely difficult."

"Well?" Merlin pressed. The suspense was killing him. "What needs to be done?"

"Morgana has to die." Theron stated.

"Is that it?"

"No," Theron grunted grumpily. "Morgana had to die, yes, but so do you, and by Mordred's hand." Theron pressed his lips together as he gathered his thoughts. "Mordred must stop your heart. By doing that Morgana dies. Only then will the curse be severed and you be free."

"Yeah," Merlin scoffed. "Ill be free alright. Ill be dead too."

"Not if you bond your life force to another."

"No." Merlin snapped. "No way would I willingly tether myself to some else. Especially if I ever get free of Morgana."

Theron shrugged. "I showed you your escape, its up to you weather or not you want to go throguh it."

Merlin shifted uncomfortably under Therons incisive glare. "So, is Mordred in that Amethyst Quirts now?"

"No he lives, for now, but soon he will be and you will loose yourself. Be careful, young Emrys. Remember who your enemies are," Theron looked at Mordred on the table. "and don't forget your friends."

"If I wear that while Mordred is inside it, can it help me fight Morganas control?"

"Yes, in a way. But tell me this," Theron paused. "Are you strong enough to fight Morganas darkness as well as Mordreds thoughts?"

Merlin hesitated to answer. He thought he was, but with the curse swirling in his blood stream it didn't seem like a great idea to push things.

"I didn't think so," Theron said. "When the pressure of Morganas bond becomes too great and you would rather have Mordred traipsing around that mind of yours, come fine me. Until then I'll see you around."

Theron turned and left Merlin alone in the tent with his thoughts and a dying Mordred.

Merlin walked around the table to stand next to Mordred. Merlin looked down at him. A pain bloomed in Merlins chest. It hurt him to see Mordred like this. Merlin remembered him as a child. He was so brave for someone so young, and lonely. He was talented and empathetic. But also bitter, angry and very scared.

Merlin turned away from the grizzly sight. Merlin shook himself. His gut knotted and his skin crawled. He felt the curse getting stronger. Building inside him like a volcano about to erupt and consume. He ran his hands through his hair as panic sprang up to torment him. He gripped his hair in two tight fist fulls before he spun around in a circle, looking for something, anything that would help ground him. He tried to think of Arthur, or Camelot and Albion but nothing could penetrate his panic. The curse was powerful. He was slipping. The will to fight was slowly being drained.

Suddenly, Cedric appeared. He Merlin's path. Merlin started in surprise. Instinctively his magic stired. At first reluctantly, and then it it sprang forward to protect Merlin. He clamped a restraining hand on it before it could do any damage.

"Cedric!?" Merlin exclaimed alarmed, but remembered to keep his voice low. "What the hell are you doing?" Merlin assessed him with a critical eye. Cedric looked worse for ware, but amazingly was still able to stay on his feel. His sudden appearance shed a new, and very bright, light on the reason behind his support. Cedric had magic, but a kind Merlin had never witnessed. He, like Theron, was a different kind of magic than Merlin entirely. Distantly, he wondered if it was the kind that could be taught.

"There is no time." Cedric shook his head. "We have to go."

"Where?"

"To Arthur. We have to warn him."

"Of what?"

"Morgana isn't going to Camlann as she led us to believe."

"Then where would she..." Merlin wondered. Camelot. He blanched. "No," Merlin breathed. That sneaky bitch. She was headed for Camelot. She only wanted the throne, the kingdom, not the King who currently occupied it, and rather than win them in a fair fight she would rather steal it from him.

Cedric nodded confirming his thoughts. "The maps you gave Darrin, they were fake. There are no trade routs or other posts, above ground, but there is an underworld trade post she accesses from a port in Mercia."

"She never meant to meet Arthur in battle. She meant to steal the kingdom, using me as the ultimate instrument of destruction. " Merlin murmured, the horror of what Morgana planned to have him do finally sneaking in.

"We don't have time for this. Lets go!" Cedric snapped. Grabbed Merlins arm.

"Go?" Merlin murmured dazed. "Go. No I can't." Merlin frantically tugged his arm from Cedric, but he wouldn't let go. "Cedric no, I can its to-" What ever he was about to say was cut off as Cedric flashed then to the place his sister said Arthur had his forces camped.

Merlin landed heavily on the forest floor, Cedric stood over him. Merlin looked around. The sound of horses, black smiths pounding on their anvils and men shouting orders filled the crisp night air. Frantic, Merlin turned back to Cedric. "Take me back." Merlin demanded.

"Excuse me?" An unfamiliar feminine voice scoffed from behind him. Merlin ignored her.

"Cedric," Merlin pleaded. He looked at Cedric with wide terrified eyes.

"Why? You're free." Cedric frowned at him. Confused. Then it dawned on him. The curse. But Mordred wasn't dead...

As if reading Cedrics thoughts, Merlin stepped away from Cedric and ran his hand though his hair in aggravation. "Mordred is minutes of way from death. Did you not notice the body on the table?"

"No, I didn't notice. I was only there for you. You had to know the truth."

"Well, now I know." Merlin scowled. "Go worn Arthur, and sent me back. Now." The curse was gaining ground. The hourglass nearly empty. If he stayed much longer they would have an entirely different issue to deal with. A soulless monster.

"Yeah, and how will Arthur know were not the enemy?" The unknown female asked.

"This is my sister, Omari." Cedric introduced.

Merlin grunted in acknowledgment. Merlin closed his eyes and pictured Arthurs seal that he had put in the bag Darrin had carried and imagined it resting in his palm. A second later and the familiar weight settled in his hand. "Give him this. Tell him what he needs to know." Merlin grit his teeth as wave of pain swept through him. It started in his chest and sprang out to envelop his whole body.

"Send me back." Merlin panted. He tried to hold back the curse but there was no stopping it. Not now. He felt something deep inside him snap. Mordred was dead. Merlin ground his molars together. He had to get away from here, away from Arthur. He could taste Morgana wanted. She wanted Merlin to destroy everything...every-single-thing Merlin has fought for. And he would do it to. It was almost too hard to resit the easy way out and just give in.

"I wonder what will get you killed faster. Your loyalty or your stubbornness. You know how this war will end if you are not with us."

"I don't fucking care!" Merlin finally exploded. "Send me back. Now!" But before he finished the word "now" the world spun. Someone yelled his name from a great distance away. There was a hard tug, and he was back in the tent. But it wasn't Cedrics power that pulled him here. It was Morgana. She summoned him.

As soon as his feet touched the ground Merlin fell to his knees. His entire frame began to convulse. He briefly worried he that he would bite his tongue off when pair of petite hands gripped his shoulders and held him still. His heart raced out of control. It pounded in his ears, blocking out all other sound.

Muffled words he tried to make sense of finally broke through the painful haze. The pain left him in a sudden rush and his vision cleared. Merlin looked up. His dark blue eyes clashed with a pair of striking green ones. He shoved Morgana away as a wave of revulsion made him physically ill. He leaned to the side and lost what little sustenance he had in his stomach. Wiping his mouth he stood up. Morgana followed. She looked radiant, powerful, energized, where Merlin felt irritated and unbalanced.

Merlin walked past Morgana to the table. Ignoring Mordreds dead body on the table, Merlin poured himself a cup of wine. In one long gulp he emptied it, filled it and drained it again. He hesitated, before he refiled it. He didn't think it would be a smart idea to drink too much, but he couldn't find an ounce of anything in him to care. He slammed it down, filled it once more, this time to the brim. He took a long gulp.

"What do you think you are doing?" Morgana demanded.

"Adjusting." Merlin pressed his tongue to the the front of his teeth to keep from adding anything to colorful to his sentence. He popped his tong and raised his chalice in a sarcastic salute. "Cheers." he gulped it down.

"Adjusting to what?" Morgana frowned. He has been with her for months, what would he need to adjust to?

"Ha," Merlin snorted. "To this," Merlin gestured between them with the cup in his hand. "To us, to the little freedom I have left." He walked past Morgana.

"You have no freedom left. You haven't had any since I captured you in the Forrest." Morgana laughed at his childish thinking. She grabbed the cup from his hand and set it aside. She wanted to make something very clear to him. "I summoned. You came," Morgana pointed out. "With out me asking twice."

Merlin frowned. The idea that Merlin could be "summoned" didn't sit well with him. Yes, he thought it cool to be able to go anywhere at any time with just a thought, when he did it on his own volition, but this, this was a big inconvenience. "I will fight this compulsion,"

Morgana wince with something akin to pity. "You can try. But when I summon you again, you will come. When I give you an order, you will obey." Morgana purred. She brushed his dark hair from his eyes and caressed his cheek.

Merlin wanted to move away from her touch, but he couldn't. "What am I to you?" Merlin seethed.

Morgana looked at him for a long while. The darkness inside her soul was plane to see In her eyes and it her played havoc with the green of her iris. She has given herself over to that darkness. Her pupils expanded and then retracted over and over again. It was as if that was its heart beat. Then she smiled. "You are my trophy."

Merlin shook his head. He scowled at her. This was not good. He fought back against her control. Against the curse that bound their wills.

"You have no power over me." Merlin countered. His hands opened and closed at his side. He wanted to feel her neck in his hands.

Morgana glared and growled low in her throat. "You already know how this will end." She felt Merlin struggling. He was resisting her. "Lets have a good old fashioned demonstration, shall we?" She stepped away from him and raised her chin, the picture of a female who has never been denied. It was time to show him how futile it was to fight her anymore. "Kneel."

Merlins knees slammed into the ground with do much force it rattled his teeth. Though he struggled with all his might, he failed to stand. Horror joined his rage. He was truly bonded to the will of another. Tears gather in his eyes against his will and spilled down his face.

"Don't cry." Morgana snapped. "Your a weapon; weapons don't weep." She pressed her lips together in irritation at what would normally break her down a little inside and make her feel like shit. Now, the sight of Merlin like this was a relief. "As you can see, my dear Emrys, my will is your delight." Morgana waived a hand through the air. "You may stand."

Merlins body unlocked and he jumped to his feet. Merlin seethed. He glared daggers at her. "My Destiny wasn't yours to take."

"If I had your powers, I would have embraced them."

Merlin shook his head. "WE have a destiny, Morgana, and it cannot be altered. No matter what you do, no matter what you change the future will play out. Fate has a brutal way of correcting itself."

Morgana's smile never faltered. "Yes, I know that." She murmured darkly. "Now that we have that sorted, I need you to do me a favor." Morgana smiled even wider. "I need you shut down those pesky emotions for me and go win me a Kingdom."

Merlin grit his teeth and shoved back against Morgana's will with what remained of his own. "No." Merlin grit.

"I want asking." Morgana hissed. "Go get me my kingdom." she snapped. Morgana smiled. Everything was working out near to perfect.

Merlin's spine snapped straight and his face went slack. It was at that moment when she saw the light leave his beautiful eyes even if he was not dead. Without another word Merlin left the tent to do as commanded and lead the rest of her army to Camelots walls. Half of him wanted to fight, wanted to run, the other half wanted to obey, to please. There was no fighting it anymore.