Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin (to my ever lasting regret)
A Camelot Calamity
"Merlin will you relax?" Arthur chided slightly as Merlin continued to pace his room.
"Easy for you to say. All you're doing is sitting there." He said nervously and Gwen smiled, holding up her hand before they started bickering again.
"Merlin, we know you're fond of Kay but he'll be fine. The entire citadel is on high alert, the city's closed off and he's protected by four of the best knights we have, he'll be fine. And he can take care of himself." She said soothingly but Merlin wasn't soothed.
Ever since the alarm had gone up to find Alvarr, Merlin hadn't seen Kay, he had been whisked away to his quarters to wait for Alvarr, and Arthur (who would fervently deny that he was just being overprotective of Merlin by keeping him close, because of course he wasn't (Gwen and Merlin knew otherwise but they weren't going to call him on it)) had kept Merlin busy and now he was looking out over the city.
"I've told you before I don't like just sitting here waiting for something to happen." Merlin said as he picked up another piece of spare armour, which he was now becoming convinced Arthur was leaving around the room to give him something to do.
"I know Merlin, but all we need to do is wait for Alvarr to make his move. And we know he's still in the city somewhere we just need to find him." Arthur said, his voice quite soothing for a change.
"I just don't like the idea of using Kay as bait." Merlin said and Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"It was your idea Merlin." She reminded him and Merlin scowled and pointed at Arthur.
"He never normally listens to my ideas, and the one time he does actually listen, the one time I say something he actually pays attention to, its a crap idea!" he protested and Arthur quickly turned away from Gwen as they both hid their smiles, but Merlin saw them anyway and gave a long suffering groan as he pulled things out from under the bed, cursing as he pulled out the contents.
"Arthur, I'm not against you wearing Gwen's clothes but would it kill you to put them in the washing basket?" he demanded and Arthur went red as Merlin put some of Gwen's underclothes in the basket, and Gwen turned expectantly to Merlin, a wicked grin on her face.
"Something you want to tell me Arthur?" she asked sweetly and Arthur looked furiously at Merlin who was grinning triumphantly.
"No, don't listen to him, he kicks them under there so he doesn't need to pick them up, its not my fault!" he protested and Gwen nodded.
"Of course not dear." She said placatingly, still smiling at Merlin.
Arthur turned around, determinedly avoiding the other two's gaze, and then frowned.
"What the hell?" he asked grimly as he saw people running through the city streets in terror.
"What is it?" Merlin asked nervously, coming to his side.
"What are they?" Arthur asked worriedly and Merlin peered out into the dark city streets, and was about to use magic to enhance his vision when a lantern was knocked over, sending the area into flame and revealing why the people were running terrified towards the citadel.
Birds. Not just anything little like chickens, these things were taller than Percival, bulkier than a horse and looked a hell of a lot more ferocious than a questing beast. Looking like a very overgrown, bulky and nasty form of a turkey, it had a bald, ugly head, ferocious yellow eyes, long, dangerous legs with lethal claws and a sharp thick beak that looked murderous. People were running screaming for the citadel and Merlin went paler than usual as he saw them all. There was around a dozen of them, and they were all speeding in towards the castle.
"Sound the warning bell!" Arthur bellowed, wondering what the hell those bird things were.
Screams were now entering the courtyard, these birds not far behind. Arthur picked up Excalibur and ran for the door, Merlin close on his heels, while Gwen, upon seeing what they were dealing with, swore and headed to the room that was always used as a makeshift infirmary, Gaius would need her help.
And as the terror birds, the adar llwch gwin, attacked the city, slaughtering as they went, Alvarr smiled and slipped out of the room he had been hiding in and went in pursuit of Kay. With everyone now bothered by the birds he had summoned, his path to the boy would be clear, and the traitor within Camelot was making sure everyone else was out of the way for him. And with Merlin off protecting his beloved king, all he would have to do is deal with a few knights, and the sorceress. And he was more than capable of dealing with that traitor.
Smirking, he drew his sword. The forty eight hours was nearly up.
And the boy would be his, one way or another.
XX
Arthur ducked away from the sharp lethal beak of the bird, while Gwaine swung a torch at it to keep it at bay.
"What the hell are these things?" Gwaine demanded as another one leapt over the makeshift barricade of overturned carts they had made and ripped apart two guards.
Percival then appeared out of nowhere, Lucan following him as a shadow, both of their swords going for a killing stroke. However, both thudded against the birds skin, and all it did was give a terrible cry before pecking Percival's shoulder and Lucan's stomach, sending them both screaming to the ground.
"We can't kill these things!" Alymere yelled as another bird dashed into the balustrade, determined to break through and a second later the wood splintered, forcing Alymere to back away.
Arthur was pinned by one ferocious scraggly looking bird, the bird giving a terrible echoing screech as it tried to peck a hole in Arthur's chest. Merlin then appeared, brandishing a spear at it, forcing the beast to caw in fury and try to attack Merlin instead. Arthur however swung Excalibur and the beast gave a piteous moan as its head came flying off, landing with a thud as blood geysered over the area. Arthur gently pushed a bloodied Merlin back towards Percival and Lucan as he beheld the damage the birds were causing.
There had been twelve overall, and so far the one he had just made a head shorter was the only one they had killed. Several of the peasants had been slaughtered, their bodies ripped open, blood and guts spilling over the streets. Guards had been brutally savaged by the creatures, never standing a chance against the unholy beasts. The birds echoing cries were piercing the night, as were screams of terror and cries of pain as yet another bird leapt over their makeshift fortification and savaged another guard. Percival and Lucan were injured, Dagonet and Safer were both missing, Leon and Gareth were with Kay, though Arthur had had to order Kay to stay where he was to try and lure out Alvarr (it was fairly obvious that this attack was nothing more than an elaborate distraction) and the injured were piling up, with Gwen and Gaius being unable to keep up with the demand.
"Arthur, we need to get them inside!" Merlin shouted worriedly and Arthur nodded.
"Alright. Gwaine, hold the line!" he barked, hoisting Percival up and supporting him towards the door.
"Easy for you to stay! Get back you ugly bugger!" Gwaine yelled poking a bird in the beak with his sword, but all it served to do was tick it off and he had to duck to avoid the bird.
As the remainder of the knights and guards rallied behind Gwaine, Arthur and Merlin carried Percival and Lucan into the large hall they were using to deal with the wounded, to see Gwen and Gaius working frantically to save lives. Setting down Percival, who wasn't in as much danger as Lucan, Arthur turned to Gwen who immediately ran to Lucan's side, and along with Merlin began to try and stop the bleeding.
Gaius came plodding over to Arthur, wincing as another scream went up from outside.
"Sire, I'm running low on supplies and the injured just keep coming. We need to force these birds off." He explained and Arthur nodded as Merlin came over.
"Do you have any idea what they are Gaius, or more importantly how to kill them?" he asked and Gaius nodded grimly.
"They are known as the adar llwch gwin, sire, terror birds to most. They were once harmless birds like chickens and turkeys that were infused with powerful dark magic, twisting them and warping them into the monsters that are now attacking the citadel. They are extremely durable, extremely lethal. The high priestesses and priests of the old religion would use them in wars, they would send these beasts to attack towns and cities, to weaken them in preparation for a further attack." Gaius explained and Arthur scowled.
"And now Alvarr had set them loose on us all." He cursed, and Gaius sent a dark look at Merlin who looked at him curiously.
"I do not believe so sire. While quite powerful in his own right, Alvarr shouldn't have the power to summon these beasts, well, the knowledge at least. The knowledge of how to warp birds into terror birds was known to only high priests and priestesses, and Alvarr is not one." He explained and Merlin frowned.
"Meaning someone else is behind this attack, Alvarr's working for someone. Great." He said with false cheer, and Arthur winced as a window shattered due to the pitch of a bird's cries.
"Alright, we'll worry about that later. How do I kill the damn things? The other knights have been stabbing them and so far all they've done is manage to annoy them! I've only killed one and there's still eleven more out there." He said bitterly and Gaius nodded.
"I'm not surprised sire. They are twisted and enchanted with dark magic, they will not be killed by any mere sword. Your sword, special as it is, will kill them but the other knights will have no such luck." He warned and Arthur swore.
"Gaius, I need some other way to kill them, I can't kill them all myself!" he protested and Merlin looked at him musingly.
"The only other way we might be able to kill them is with Morgana, her powers might let her kill them." He suggested and Arthur nodded.
"Alright, it's worth a try. We'll go and get..." Arthur said, looking up as Leon, Gareth and Kay entered the hall, all of them scraped and bruised.
"Sire, we have a problem. The damn things can climb the walls." Leon explained, and Arthur's eyes widened in alarm just as a clawing sound echoed through the now silent chamber and a bird leapt into the infirmary.
"Arthur!" Leon cried as the bird went straight for him, but before the bird could go anywhere, a bolt of lightning lanced across the room, blasting the creature in the chest, forcing it into a vicious wail before it exploded, swirling magic descending to the floor and out of sight as it did so.
"Thanks sis." Arthur said in relief as Morgana appeared, looking worse for wear.
"Your barricade isn't going to last much longer, Gwaine can't keep it up, and if those things get in here it will be carnage." She told him tersely.
Arthur frowned as Gaius took a look around the room, brow furrowed as he did so.
"Sire, I need more supplies as well, I don't have enough left to keep treating the wounded." He explained and an exhausted looking Gwen appeared looking miserable.
"All this because of one sorcerer, a sorcerer we can't even find I might add." She said darkly and Morgana nodded.
"True. Alvarr has to be around here somewhere, he's just waiting for the worst possible moment I think." She said as another scream came through the broken windows and a bloodied, ripped apart body was slung through the window.
Arthur exchanged a look with Merlin, who gave him a small nod, and Arthur turned to the others.
"Alright. Kay, Gareth, escort Merlin to Gaius' quarters to get supplies then come back here. Morgana, you stay with us, help us ward off those bloody birds. The rest of you, on me, we're going to get Gwaine in here, close the doors as far as possible and force the birds into a bottle neck." He explained and they all nodded.
"What about Alvarr?" Kay asked hesitantly, and Arthur shook his head.
"We have more immediate worries. Gwen, Gaius, shut the doors behind us. These things aren't getting in here, I promise. Merlin, go." Arthur ordered and Merlin scampered out of the room, Gareth and Kay hot on his heels.
"This is all my fault, he's here for me." Kay moaned as they made their way through the castle.
"No it isn't, it wouldn't be the first time one of us has made an error in judgement and Camelot's gotten the worst of it. We'll find him and stop him don't worry." Merlin assured him as they went past two dead guards, brutally savaged by one of the birds.
"It'll be alright Kay, and look on the bright side, an all powerful sorceress is on our side now, it'll be fine." Gareth told him, but Kay, and Merlin to be fair, didn't look convinced.
Morgana was very powerful yes, and she had proved she could kill the birds, but if Gaius was right, and he had every reason to suspect he was, someone more powerful than Alvarr was pulling the strings. What if they showed up? And besides, Merlin was in love with her, he was allowed to be worried about her.
A terrible cry then pierced the darkness of the corridor and a pair of narrowed, evil, yellow eyes appeared at the end of the corridor just as the last torch spluttered out. Gareth and Kay readied their swords, and Merlin raised his hand. They didn't have time for this, Gaius needed supplies, and they still had to find Alvarr, and he had to get back before Arthur and Morgana managed to get themselves killed.
The bird gave a massive cry and then charged at them, the moon highlighting the evil creature's feathers. It gave a sharp swipe of its beak at Gareth, and he gasped in surprise as he was knocked off his feet. However, the corridor was narrow and Kay then slashed up, slicing a large chunk out of its face, making the beast howl in pain and bring back its head to peck out Kay's brain. Merlin winced and hoping for the best, blasted a fireball right into the bird, smiling smugly as the bird exploded. In the lingering light of the fire, he saw that Gareth had passed out, bleeding heavily from his leg. Cursing, Merlin ripped off some of Gareth's cloak and tied it tightly around the wound.
"What now?" Kay asked worriedly, helping Merlin lift Gareth up.
"We get him to safety and get Gaius' medical supplies. Then we try and end this by finding Alvarr." Merlin said, hobbling along supporting Gareth's weight.
"Merlin...I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen, I should never have listened to Alvarr. He just made it sound so much better to be a sorcerer, he didn't make me feel afraid, he made me think it was a good thing, I shouldn't have listened to him. I'm sorry." Kay said in a defeated voice and Merlin gave him a commiserating look.
"It's alright Kay, older and wiser people than you have been hoodwinked, Alvarr got his claws into Morgana once as well. I know you wouldn't really expose me." He said and Kay cheered up slightly as they reached Gaius chambers.
Setting Gareth down on the bed, Merlin quickly assembled what he needed into his own medicine bag and then began to check Gareth's wound. Sure that the bandage was fairly tight, Merlin began treating it as Kay stood watch as another scream bellowed down the corridor.
"Merlin, do you think the others will be alright dealing with those things?" Kay asked and he smiled across at his protégé.
"They'll be fine. We've all dealt with a lot worse than bad tempered overgrown turkeys. Trust me." He said, and nodded in approval, Gareth would be fine. Frowning, he considered what to do with him, there was no point taking him back to the infirmary, he would probably be safer here anyway. Gesturing, he levitated Gareth up to his own bed out of harm's way and went to check on him, leaving Kay to pick up the medicine bag so they could return to the infirmary.
Kay shook his head. No matter what Merlin said this was all still his fault. How could he have been so stupid as to listen to Alvarr? He was clearly bad news and he had listened to him, allowed him to twist him against his friends, the ones who really did like him being around, who wanted to help guide his magic, and not someone who was just trying to use it. Because it was obvious that that's what Alvarr was up to, he wanted Kay for his own, that's why he'd spent so long last night filling Kay's head with nonsense, making him believe that it was Merlin and Morgana who wanted to use him when it had been him all along. Kay frowned as he looked at his hand. He had power, he knew that. He also knew that he didn't particularly want it. But Alvarr had convinced him that he did. If he could be so easily manipulated, what did that say about him? He was too dangerous to allow himself to be deceived like that.
Merlin and Morgana seemed to care. They wanted to help, or so they said. But how did he know they weren't trying to use his powers for their own gain too, just like Alvarr was? Kay frowned, shaking his head. This was all so confusing. There were things he could do with his powers, the powers he didn't want, to make Camelot a better and safer place. He could right the wrongs of the kingdom, and Alvarr, despite what he had done with the terror birds, had seemed fairly legitimate in saying he wanted to harness Kay's power. But the terror birds showed just what was wrong with magic. Morgana for example had been nearly completely lost to darkness and it was only the presence of a little dragon and a bit of faith on hers and her brother's part that had ensured that she wasn't still trying to kill everyone she could get her hands on. It was corrupting, and he didn't want any part of it. Simply because someone who seemed more versed in it had come along he had been more than willing to ignore Merlin and Morgana and listen to Alvarr. How could he have a power like this and not be corrupted?
But on the other hand was Merlin, who didn't seem capable of killing anyone he was too nice. So was magic the corrupting power he thought? Were people like Alvarr just evil to start with? Or was Alvarr right and were Morgana and Merlin the true problem? As he pondered this, Merlin came back down the stairs, stopping as he reached the door.
"Kay!" he gasped and Kay twirled, sword grinding out from his scabbard as Alvarr stalked towards them, a devilish grin on his face as he entered Gaius' chambers, sword at the ready.
"The great Emrys. Ever since I learned of who you truly were, I've been waiting to meet you in person. And now here we are. I must say, you're not much to look at." Alvarr sneered and Merlin glowered at him.
"I could say the same about you Alvarr. Now, back away from Kay." He growled warningly and Alvarr smiled, giving Merlin and Kay a smug look.
"I think not Emrys. Surely you can feel the indecision raging inside him, he doesn't know which way to turn. The boy will be coming with me, and nothing you can do will stop it." He promised and Kay shook his head.
"I don't think so somehow. You've set a bunch of terror birds loose on Camelot and you want me to go with you? You're mental, you're attacking people I care about to get what you want." Kay spat and Alvarr smiled.
"Hardly." He said, and quickly blasted a surprised Merlin back into the wall and the sorcerer collapsed to the bottom of the stairs in a heap, not moving.
"Merlin!"
"That's attacking people you care about. Now Kay, listen to me. Do you really want to spend your life in the shadows, forced to hide who and what you are? I know you're meant for better than that. You have great power my boy, power you can use to change things. Imagine how many people would still be alive if you and Merlin had been able to use your powers from the outset, the birds wouldn't have been able to kill anyone. Your magic is a gift, my boy, but not one that should be hidden in the shadows. It is high time things changed in Camelot and you will be able to do that! Come, join me. Come with me, and I will show you the true meaning of your powers. You are a powerful sorcerer Kay, stronger than any man in Camelot barring Emrys. And I know the power calls to me. You're confused and overwhelmed I can understand that. But I can help you, guide you, let you accept your powers. Merlin and Morgana want to use you for their own ends, to alleviate their own burdens. They wish to keep you subdued and controlled and I know you're better than that. Come Kay, join me." Alvarr said earnestly, and Kay had to admit, it did sound good.
But then he looked at Merlin, who was still out cold. Merlin, who had revealed his secret to him, trusted him and tutored him. He thought of Morgana, who better than anyone could relate to him, who was kind and encouraging while also acknowledging how he felt. And then Alvarr, who was happily threatening Merlin, had set terror birds loose on Camelot in order to get his hands on Kay.
Kay scowled. He wasn't like Alvarr. He had magic, yeah. He didn't particularly want it, like Morgana hadn't. But unlike her, he had people who genuinely cared, Merlin and Morgana. If he went with Alvarr now, he would only end up like him, like Morgana had been. How long would it be before he was summoning monsters to attack Camelot, using dark magic to try and kill all his friends? Since he'd become a knight, he'd befriended Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Gwen, Gwaine, Percival and most of the other knights, and sorcerer or not, he was not going to turn on them just because it suited Alvarr. No way.
"You expect me to join you when you're attacking my friends?" he sneered and Alvarr glowered.
"No, I expect you to join me regardless. Because if not, I'll kill Merlin here and now." He threatened, conjuring a fireball, and Kay gulped. Merlin was still unconscious, and there was no way Kay would be able to defend him. Alvarr would kill him on the spot. Without Merlin, Morgana could easily fall back into darkness. Arthur would be devastated, as would Gwen, not to mention Gaius. Camelot would spiral out of control. He didn't have a choice.
"Fine. Just don't hurt him." He growled and Alvarr smiled, and began dragging him from the room, forcing him to leave his sword behind. As soon as he could, he was going to deal with Alvarr. And as such, as the sorcerer dragged him through the corridor, he began to consider how he could get out of this one.
XX
Morgana swung, compensating for where Arthur was striking, the two of them working in unison to force the beasts back from the door. Safer and Dagonet had finally appeared and were forcing another bird away from the door, while Gwaine and Elyan tried their hardest to impale a further bird. Inside the infirmary, Gwen, armed with a sword of her own and backed up by a weakened Percival, Tristan and Alymere was trying to force the two birds that had broken in since Arthur had sealed them in, while Gaius desperately tried to get his patients away from the terror birds. Their horrible cries piercing the air, the one closest to Arthur pecked down at him, but Morgana blew it into the air with a well placed spell, and as it fell screeching back down to earth it became impaled upon Excalibur. Arthur grinned at his sister, who gave him a fleeting one in return before a scream from the infirmary jolted both of them back to reality. Gesturing at the doors, Morgana ripped them open to see Alymere rush to defend Gaius, who was about to be skewered by one of the attacking birds. Morgana sent a bolt of lightning into the bird, making it explode, and drawing the attention of the final one. The bird then abandoned the fight and charged towards Morgana, but a further bolt eradicated the bird.
Sealing the doors shut after Tristan and Alymere joined them, Morgana turned to Arthur.
"We can't keep this up Arthur. These things are vicious and unless we stop them soon they'll overrun the castle." She said darkly and Tristan nodded.
"She's right sire. There's six of the damn things out there, and we don't know if any others are still in the castle, we need to re-evaluate our position." He said grimly as Leon, after poking the lead bird with a lance, slammed the front doors shut to give them a minute's reprieve.
"Alright, everyone on me, we force them into the middle of the courtyard, then Morgana and I can pick them off one by one." Arthur said and the knights nodded, but as Morgana made to follow her brother, she heard someone cry her name weakly. Turning, she saw no sign of anyone and frowned, focusing more on the voice.
"Morgana..." the voice was in her head, and her eyes widened in realisation as she realised that it was Merlin calling her name.
Concentrating (telepathy had never been her strong suit) she found him, weakly getting to his feet in Gaius' chambers, with no sign of Gareth or Kay in sight.
"Merlin, what happened?"
"Alvarr ambushed me, I think he's taken Kay. Gareth's waking up, I'll send him to Gaius with supplies, then I'm going after Alvarr. He's going up for some reason." Merlin sounded confused, and Morgana briefly pondered why that could be, and then it clicked.
"However Alvarr got here, he mustn't be able to do the same thing to get back out. He's going up to avoid the battle he knows full well is going on at the front door. He'll try summoning one of the birds to him and escape that way. I'll meet you up there!" she said, dropping the connection just as the door started to splinter.
"On three!" Arthur yelled, readying his sword as the other knights rallied behind him, their faces grim, grimy and determined.
Morgana then grasped his arm and pulled him away from the doors as a beak erupted through, but it was swiftly forced away as Tristan clanged it on the beak, making the beast squeal. Evil yellow eyes began glaring into the holes they had punctured in the doors, and iuf they didn't do something soon, the castle would soon be overrun by these beasts.
"I need to go after Alvarr." Morgana said and Arthur looked at her furiously.
"Morgana, are you mad? We've got these blasted monsters knocking on the front door and you want to chase down the damned sorcerer?" he hissed and she scowled.
"Not really, but if I stop him it might get rid of them. Just hold out, I'll be quick." She promised and she turned to dart up the corridor. Hissing, she used her sword to slice open the hem of her green dress and then ran for the stairs, while Arthur rolled his eyes. She had always driven his father mad with her propensity for cutting open dresses when she was attacked. Cursing the sorcerer's lousy timing, Arthur raised his sword into the air.
"On me!" he cried, and with a heave the doors were thrown open and the knights cascaded down the steps, their swords swinging and cutting at the birds, who simply cawed irritably in response before renewing their attack.
Morgana hurtled up the stairs, passing a pale looking Gareth, carrying medical supplies as she did so, and continued climbing the stairs, heading for the ramparts. As Gareth gaped after her stupidly, she heard another person's footfalls flying up the next corridor and she ran down into the next corridor and with great relief found a dazed looking Merlin rushing up the stairs with her.
"About time." Merlin said cattily and she glowered.
"I've been busy, protecting Arthur is your job. How did Alvarr get you?" she asked, looking in concern at the trickle of blood in his hair, she was going to force him to wear a helmet all the time she really was.
"He ambushed me while he was trying to work his words on Kay. I don't think he's gone with him willingly but he was still mixed up Morgana, and considering..."
"We're about an hour away from his choice defining his destiny I'd say we better shift quickly. Come on." She said, hurtling up the next flight of stairs, Merlin right behind her.
XX
Gaius forced Gareth down into a bed and turned nervously to the door where the sounds of battle were coming from. The few remaining guards had rallied behind their king and were now helping him force the birds back from the castle, but Gaius could tell what this battle was truly for, the battle for Kay's destiny. The birds were a distraction, an opportunity for Alvarr to try and get his claws into the lad. And now Merlin was missing. Alvarr must have taken Kay for Merlin to risk sending Gareth through a castle under attack in order to carry out his own task. But that meant Merlin, and now Morgana, were both heading into a battle with Alvarr, and they didn't know where Kay's loyalties were going to lie. Frowning in irritation and fear, Gaius prayed the boy would make the right choice.
XX
"Get off me!" Kay demanded, shoving Alvarr angrily as he pulled them out onto the ramparts of one of the towers.
"As you wish. Do what you like boy, but no matter what, you are coming with me, dead or alive." Alvarr promised, pointing his sword at Kay, but before the boy could respond, the door to the ramparts thudded open and Alvarr span to see an angry Merlin and Morgana appear, both of them glaring at him.
"Step away from him Alvarr." Merlin ground out, raising his hand warningly as Morgana did the same and raised her sword at the same time.
"Lady Morgana, it has been a while hasn't it? I'll just deal with this little whelp and be done with it, and then we can catch up on old times." He said with a charming voice, and Morgana glowered at him.
"No Alvarr, I've changed. Odd though it sounds, I believe in Arthur and the world he will build. And that doesn't include you getting your hands on Kay." She hissed and Alvarr smiled.
"Please my lady, this boy is nothing compared to you or your boyfriend there. Why bother with him, I'm just taking him off your hands." He purred, and Kay edged towards Merlin and Morgana slightly, trying to at least reach a weapon.
Alvarr then brought his sword up, blocking Kay's path.
"Leave him alone." Merlin ordered, his eyes flashing angrily as he did so, and Alvarr gave him a smug grin.
"I don't think so Emrys. You see, as I'm sure you know, this boy is a latent sorcerer. And as such, his allegiance is up for grabs, and I want it." He hissed, and Kay glared at him.
"And what makes you think I'm going to choose your side?" he demanded and Alvarr smiled.
"Oh but I do know my fine young sorcerer. I know how conflicted you must be, how confused. You are young and two powerful forces are vying for your loyalty. Why do you think I spent my time last night getting to know you? I know power calls to you, while you are terrified of your magic, of what you are, part of it calls to you as well. You want to use it to impose your wants, you want power boy, and I can give you that, join me!" he implored, and Kay looked between the two factions, Alvarr on one side and Merlin and Morgana on the other.
"Kay, don't do this, he wants to use you. Yeah you have to hide for now, but you will be free one day, and we'll help you. Don't listen to him." Merlin said, but did nothing else, he simply gave Morgana a look and she hesitantly pulled back slightly.
"They only seek to use you to alleviate their own problems, do not give in to them my boy. Your power calls to you, however much you deny it. Join me Kay, I can help you understand it, develop it, the power is yours, the power to do what you will, the power to impose your will, join me!" Alvarr urged, and Kay looked back at Merlin and Morgana and while Morgana looked nervous, Merlin simply looked at Kay and nodded, as if trusting him to do the right thing.
"Kay, come!" Alvarr snapped and Kay grinned at Merlin, enjoying the flash of triumph in the elder warlock's eyes.
"What, join you after you unleash terror birds on my home, try and kill my friends and manipulate me against the ones who actually do care about me? No way." Kay said defiantly, and suddenly everything shifted as Kay finally accepted what he was. Turning angrily, his eyes glowing gold, he anchored himself in his powers and they could feel the power raging around him. He then raised his hand and a hard ball of earth and mud came swirling into existence which he then blasted into a surprised Alvarr's chest, the heavy ball knocking the wind out of him as Kay firmly made his choice.
"Well done." Morgana said proudly, feeling magic shift around Kay as his magic for the first time gained some semblance of control, as destiny began to shape itself around him. He had made his choice and he was sticking with it.
"Least that explains why he couldn't master fire magic, he's an earth conjurer." Merlin mused proudly, but then tensed as Alvarr got back to his feet.
Alvarr got back to his feet and gestured, knocking Kay and Morgana off their feet. Merlin growled and conjured a whirlwind, sending it at Alvarr. Alvarr gave a leering grin in response, drawing his sword and using that and his flashing eyes to dissipate the wind. Alvarr then charged at Merlin, sword going for his neck. Kay was there in the next instant, blade coming up in his unorthodox grip and clanging into Alvarr's. Forcing him away from Merlin, Kay, eyes glowing, began to unleash a fine offensive on Alvarr as Morgana got back to her feet. Seeing this, Alvarr sent a bolt of ice flying at her but she shattered it with a gesture before flicking the shards back towards their owner. Alvarr growled as he was forced to back off in order to hold off her attack and Kay's. The two, working closely together, Morgana using magic and her sword, and Kay using his sword and magic began to force Alvarr back. Grinning as the two of them worked to defeat the sorcerer, Merlin ran to the edge of the ramparts, seeing the terror birds were still being fought, screams, blood and bodies marking the courtyard.
"Can you pair hold him?" Merlin cried as their swords clanged.
"For a while, what are you going to do?" Morgana asked, blocking Alvarr's attack, who grimaced, the young knight and the princess were adept at swordplay and at magic.
"What I do best...save Arthur." He said with a grin and conjured a ball of lightning, and making sure he couldn't be seen from below, he threw the ball of lightning down into the courtyard.
The ball plummeted into the centre of the milling throng of birds, forced into a circle by the knights going at them with spears. The ball exploded and jagged bolts erupted from the ball, destroying three more of the birds, leaving three. As the birds saw this, they gave terrible cries and started trying to push forward all the more, and Merlin risked a peek over the edge as Arthur and the others came into a wedge to try and bring an end to the beasts.
The birds called and pushed harder, making Merlin frown worriedly, the birds weren't stopping, and neither was Alvarr by the looks of it. Turning away from the edge and praying Arthur and the others would be alright, he turned back to the duel that was still unfolding.
Morgana and Kay were hammering away at Alvarr's defences, and it was clear that the sorcerer was tiring. Alvarr leapt onto the next segment of the battlements, blasting Morgana back as Kay fell on him with his sword, weapons clanging in the night air. Merlin ran to help Morgana up, firing a wreath of flame at Alvarr as he did so. Alvarr hissed, barely creating a shield to repel the attack and he grimaced as he was forced to block Kay's upwards cut.
Alvarr hissed and let loose a magical scream akin to what Morgana had done after Gaius had attacked Morgause, sending them all staggering, and with a further blast he sent them crashing into a heap at the top of the ramparts. Chuckling darkly, he then advanced upon them, sword poised and eyes glowing as he conjured several daggers.
"So falls the almighty Emrys, the false priestess and the foolish boy. I expected more of a challenge." He said smugly, and Merlin grinned cockily up at him.
"So did I." He said, bolting to his feet, as did the other two.
Kay ran at him, sword going right for his throat. Alvarr yelped in surprise, barely managing to stop the attack as Kay fell upon him, unleashing a string of heavy blows that forced Alvarr steadily back. With his attention elsewhere, Morgana seized control of the daggers he had conjured and threw them at Alvarr, forcing him to take up a defensive, weaving position as he was pushed further and further back, his attention divided. And that was when Merlin entered the battle, conjuring a fireball and wrapping it in jagged ice and continuing to throw such attacks at him, and with a cry, a dagger pierced Alvarr's shoulder, Kay took advantage and disarmed him and the last fireball blasted him in the chest, dropping Alvarr to the floor, and as he lay there groaning he suddenly felt two swords at his chest.
"It's over Alvarr, we've won." Morgana said with cold triumph, but Alvarr spat blood from his mouth as he glared up at her.
"You've won nothing Morgana Pendragon!" he hissed and with some words, he slammed his palm onto the ground he was lying on.
The entire ramparts suddenly swayed and Alvarr laughed madly as the ramparts swayed. Merlin looked around to see a large crack emanating from his palm, ripping along the ground and reaching the wall, before cracking the entire length of it, and his stomach plummeted.
"Move!" Merlin cried, but it was too late, and with a thunderous roar the rampart they were standing on fell from the castle, breaking as it fell, Alvarr cackling madly as they descended in a storm of falling masonry.
Merlin grabbed a hold of Morgana's hand and she quickly threw out a hand to catch Kay in her grip as the rubble toppled around them, thundering and roaring as it did so. Alvarr dove towards the ground where the birds were still fighting. Arthur looked up in time to see the masonry begin to fall with his best friend, sister and knight in the midst of it all and he ordered his men back as huge chunks of rock began to pound into the courtyard, destroying one more of the birds. Alvarr then gestured his eyes flashing and he slowed himself to a stop before landing gracefully. Seeing this, Gwaine looked desperately for a way to get to him, but as the rubble fell he was blocked, large bangs sounding as the rocks ploughed into the courtyard. Alvarr summoned a sword from a fallen guard to him and then leapt onto one of the two remaining birds, before gesturing for the other one to attack. As the bird ran forward and with the knights blocked off by the falling masonry, Alvarr quickly made good his escape on the back of a terror bird, creating a wall of fire as he escaped to prevent any pursuit. As the knights took cover from the falling masonry and the remaining bird which had miraculously escaped the falling stonework so far, Morgana, Merlin and Kay all joined their magic together, creating a swirling vortex of wind, forming it into a cushion of air that they bounced off of and rolled to the floor, just as the last jugged chunk of masonry plunged into the earth, punching right through the final terror bird in the process and, the entire courtyard still shaking and booms still going off in their ears, it appeared the battle was finally over.
"Are you guys alright?" Arthur asked loudly for the third time to the three who had fallen from the roof, as they hadn't heard him the first time.
"Yeah, it is a nice night isn't it?" Merlin asked in response and Arthur sagged wearily, his servant hardly listened to him anyway and now he was deaf on top of it.
Giving up talking to them as a bad job, Arthur shook his head as he looked around the courtyard. The entire place was a mess, a large chunk of the northern battlement was missing, and the terror birds had certainly killed over a hundred people, all in all this had not been a good night.
"What? Oh this is ridiculous!" Morgana snapped and her eyes flashed and with that, their hearing all went back to normal.
And it was with that that Gwen and the others came out, looking happy exhausted into the destroyed courtyard, dust and powder filling the air, and Merlin grinned as Gaius came out and hugged him.
"That was too close. I take it you found Alvarr." Arthur said to Morgana, who nodded.
"Kay had been chasing after him, and Merlin had been chasing him, I got there in time to help. I take it he ran for it?" she asked and Gwaine nodded, scowling.
"Yeah, we couldn't get to him after his little rock fall, he jumped on the last of those bloody birds and scarpered." He said grimly, and Tristan frowned.
"Something makes me think we haven't seen the last of him." He prophesised darkly, and Gwen sighed.
"I reckon you're right. But he's gone for now, so let's be thankful for that. Come on, we need to deal with the last of the wounded and collect the dead. And then we're going to have to try and figure out how the hell we're going to fix the ramparts." She said worriedly, looking at the large crater above them worriedly.
As the tired knights and guards headed inside the castle, many of them patting Morgana, Merlin and Kay proudly on the shoulder as they did so, both Merlin and Morgana turned to Kay, who was looking at them with embarrassment.
"I really am sorry guys, I should never have let him twist me. I didn't mean to say all that stuff to you this morning Morgana, or hurt you. I'm sorry." He said softly and Morgana smiled.
"You've more than made up for it. You defended Camelot, fought off Alvarr, helped to send him packing, and made your choice and stuck with it. We're proud of you." Morgana said kindly.
"Yeah, and now we know what you're capable of. So, do you still want to give up magic?" Merlin asked and Kay grinned.
"Not so much anymore. I don't think I'll ever really like it, true, but this showed me that while it is used a lot for evil, it can be used for good. And being able to conjure boulders with your bare hands is pretty cool. Will you guys still help me?" he asked hesitantly and Merlin grinned.
"We'd be delighted to." He promised and with that the three of them headed inside.
XX
"What word from Camelot, did my assassin succeed?" Odin asked his advisor, but the look on the man's face told him all he needed to know.
Could nothing kill Arthur? No one was that lucky, yet he seemed to avoid every assassin Odin sent for him. War was out of the question, especially now that he had his witch sister at his beck and call, there was no way to get to him so just what was he meant to do?
"No, he did not succeed Odin, king of Bernicia." A female voice said and Odin looked up in alarm to see his two guards clutching at their throats for air as a woman in a hooded blue cloak strolled in, her red dress visible just beneath it.
"Who are you? How dare you intrude upon my chambers?" Odin spat drawing his sword, but all she did was flick a finger at him and the sword clattered to the ground. Looking at the newcomer in fear, Odin watched as they pulled back their hood to reveal the face of Nimueh.
"Priestess Nimueh." He said with a much more respectful tone and she favoured him with a small smile.
"Greetings King Odin, it had been far too long." She said, striding towards him and he gallantly kissed her hand in greeting.
"We have not seen you since Uther began his purge my lady." He said, beckoning for her to take a seat at the table he used for discussions of a more personal nature, and she raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed. His purge which you and all the other rulers like you happily joined in with. Do not think to lie to me Odin. You, Caerleon, Sarrum, Alined, Bayard, all of you were more than willing to join the traitor Uther in his bloodthirsty assault upon my kind. You are all equally to blame Odin, all equally fearful of that which you do not understand so do not presume to blame Uther alone, all of you are just as guilty in the demise of so many of my kin." She said dangerously and Odin wisely kept quiet until his curiosity would not be sated any longer.
"How do you know of the failure of my assassin lady Nimueh?"
"Because I have been watching Camelot for months now, and your assassin was killed by a boy who attracted my attention as he is a latent sorcerer. Your assassin nearly succeeded if it makes you feel any better, he didn't expect a young latent sorcerer joining the fight I suspect." She mused as she studied her nails and Odin seethed, furious that he had once again come so close to being outdone.
He had thought that his assassin taking down Uther would bring him some measure of victory, of triumph, of peace, but it had only served to annoy him further as he had been so close to taking out Arthur only to be foiled by a vegetable of a king who had hardly moved for a year. Typical, just his luck.
"Arthur must die! Only then will I be content." He growled, slamming his hand down on the table, and Nimueh smiled in a predatory fashion.
"And he will die Odin. Uther, before the treachery of his dear daughter, knew the truth. The forces of the Old Religion were rising against him once again, magic was returning to the world of men. And now, magic is poised to once more return to this world and undo the destruction wreaked by the birth of the Pendragon boy. I gave that little shit life, I can take it away just as easily." She said smugly and while that thought did please him, Odin couldn't help but feel a pit of worry in his stomach.
While he had disagreed with Uther on many things the one thing they could agree on was the presence of magic. Uther simply gave Odin and the other rulers of the lands the opportunity they needed to rid the world of magic users, who they had all agreed wielded too much power. The time had come for the dominion of men, not for magic and mystics. But if Nimueh truly did intent to bring back magic, all of that would be undone and they would lose the progress they had gained over the years.
"How do you intend to return magic to the world?" he asked nervously, and she smiled.
"What better way is there than to annihilate Camelot? The butcher may be gone but his son remains and his sister aside is no friend of the old religion. His faithful little pet Merlin cannot protect him forever, cannot truly be himself because of how they feel about magic, and that is the anvil upon which I will forge the hammer of Camelot's undoing. I have been preparing for some time Odin, the forces of the Old Religion are rallying behind their true high priestess. Soon now, we will be able to strike. I will take down the butcher's son, his servant queen, his pet warlock and his treacherous sister and Camelot will burn for all it had done to my kind." She said, but more than anything else one phrase struck Odin as curious.
"Arthur had a pet warlock?" he asked darkly and she nodded, scowling as she did so.
"He too is a traitor to his own kind, serving the butcher of his kin while lapping up whatever praise he is offered like the pathetic dog he is. And he is the problem. My own desire for revenge aside..." she hissed, but Odin caught across her.
"Revenge? Against a boy?" he asked, slightly mockingly and her eyes flashed in anger at his insinuation.
"That boy is the most powerful sorcerer in existence. And do not think to preach to me Odin. I have passed through the realm of the dead to return to this world and I will not be dismissed by a mere mortal such as you. When you pass into the realm of the dead, the long, endless wait to pass on, the pain you experience in your final moments, the cries of the dead, the wails of lost loved ones, the darkness of the other side, the throng of millions of spirits crushing at you, the never ending cycle of decay, death and despair, only then will I allow you to mock me for my death at the hands of a serving boy, even if he isn't a true serving boy and is in fact Emrys. And besides, being struck with lightning is not a pleasant way to go, it bloody hurts." She said tartly, but the menace and passion in her voice as she recounted her time in the world beyond made Odin wisely shut up.
"Apologies my lady. So this boy is the reason Arthur never falls, why Camelot may fall but its king does not. He is, I would say, a mutual enemy." He mused and she flashed him a predatory grin.
"Indeed he is Odin. Camelot will never truly fall while its king lives. And its king will never fall while he has the mindless, loving devotion and adoration of the mighty Emrys. Which brings us to my plan." She purred and Odin, despite himself, and despite the fact that he was sitting opposite the most dangerous woman in all the kingdoms, he couldn't help but be intrigued.
"So what does this plan involve my lady?" he asked cautiously and she smiled, her smile chilling him right down to the marrow as he beheld the malice in her expression.
"I shall tell you it in full time my friend. But for now, prepare your forces. We have a treaty to destroy."
XX
"Arise Sir Alymere, Sir Dagonet, Gareth, Kay, Lucan and Safer, knights of Camelot!" Arthur proclaimed from the bottom of the steps to the thrones and the six newest knights, having more than earned their stripes, were finally made true knights of Camelot.
Gwen began to applaud from her throne and the entire room followed suit, as the other knights surged forward, dressed in all their finery and began shaking hands with the new knights. Morgana and Gwen descended from the throne platform where the three thrones sat and began congratulating the knights as well, and Gaius came up behind Merlin, smiling fondly.
"Excellent, about time we had some new knights. There might be some days off for you coming, more people to protect Arthur." He said and Merlin snorted in amusement.
"Fat chance. But at least something finally seems to be going our way. We've got more knights, Kay chose our side and Alvarr is in retreat. Arthur and Gwen are happy and safe for the moment, Morgana is happy, home and not trying to kill us all which is always a bonus and the terror birds aside, we have no major problems on the horizon." Merlin said cheerfully, and grinned at Gareth who gave him a salute, and was about to go and talk to the new knights when Gaius burst his bubble.
"Aside from the fact that Alvarr is still out there and his use of the terror birds points to someone else being involved." Gaius stated grimly, and Merlin groaned.
"Five minutes Gaius, that was all I wanted, five minutes in which I could pretend everything was going our way." He whined and Gaius gave a weak chuckle.
"I know, and I'm sorry my boy. But someone more powerful than Alvarr gave him that spell to create the terror birds, there's no way he could have known it otherwise. And I also suspect that Alvarr wasn't the one behind the enchantments on you. Which also begs the question...how did he know who you truly are?" Gaius muttered and Merlin frowned, shaking his head.
Loathe though he was to admit it, Gaius was right. True he might be mistaken about Alvarr working for someone else, but by the traditions of the ancient law of sod, if anything could be done to make Merlin's life and destiny that much more difficult it would happen, so he was probably right. And the timing didn't make sense. Even if Alvarr was somehow linked with the Hassassin, he still shouldn't have known about Kay, he and Morgana had only found out about him because she'd looked at the right time. And he highly doubted there was any way for anyone to have been able to tell about Kay until he actually activated his powers, which meant Alvarr had come here afterwards to try and get his hands on Kay. Which in turn meant someone within was responsible for the enchantment on Merlin if not more. Which meant that there was once again an enemy within the walls of Camelot.
Great.
"Merlin?" Gaius asked quietly, and Merlin, his mind lost in thought, shivered suddenly.
"I don't know Gaius, I just have a bad feeling. I thought we might have stopped everything that was to come when Morgana came back, but now I'm not so sure. The die is cast. And Camelot's great trial has begun." He whispered darkly, but was disturbed from his dark musings as a hand touched his shoulder and Merlin leapt about a foot in the air, swearing as he did so.
Turning he saw Gaius and Arthur laughing at him and he glowered at the two of them as Arthur looked at him expectantly.
"You going to tell me then?" he asked, and Merlin looked at him in confusion.
"Tell you what?" he asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of his voice for fear that Arthur had heard what he was just saying to Gaius.
"What you were doing with Kay that was so fun that you didn't show up to do your proper job?" Arthur asked, his voice dangerously pleasant which Merlin knew full well was a warning sign.
"That's my fault sire." Kay said nervously, appearing from nowhere, making Gaius jump. Merlin grinned at him triumphantly and turned back to watch the interchange between Arthur and Kay.
"And how is it your fault my servant doesn't show up to do his job?" Arthur asked and Merlin breathed a silent sigh of relief as Gwen came up beside him, at least his punishment wouldn't be too bad now.
"He's been teaching me how to read." Kay said easily and Arthur's eyes widened in surprise.
"You can't read?" Gwen asked curiously, though it didn't sound like she was judging, instead she was getting the look on her face she got when she got an idea in her head.
"No. And I was worried I might have to read or sign something and wouldn't be able to, so I asked Merlin to teach me to read." Kay said, this time lying fluently and easily, and Merlin, bad though it was, couldn't help but feel slightly proud of him for lying to Arthur so well.
"Oh...right then. Well I suppose that's alright then. Just..." Arthur muttered and Gwen smiled.
"Just ask me next time you want to borrow Merlin. Arthur doesn't like to share." She said with a wide smile, and Arthur glared at her.
"I do so like to share." He protested and she smirked and winked at Merlin.
"Yeah, just not Merlin, he's just yours." She said in teasing voice and made her escape before Arthur went chasing after her, growling while Merlin, Gaius and Kay laughed.
"You're getting better at lying." Gaius said, not quite approving but not quite disapproving either.
"Is it a lie when you want it to be true?" Kay asked and Merlin looked at him in surprise.
"You actually can't read?" he asked, and Kay shook his head.
"No, my uncle didn't see much point in it, he thought I was going to be a blacksmith all my life, not a knight so he didn't bother. Can you teach me please?" he asked hopefully and Merlin and Gaius grinned at each other.
"Course we will." Gaius said fondly and Kay grinned and headed off, leaving Merlin and Gaius chuckling in his wake.
XX
Alvarr left the bird at the foot of the stairs, figuring Mircéhreohr would eat it later. The steed had served him well, but now he was on his own. Now he had to report failure to Nimueh, and he feared she would not forgive failure lightly.
As he entered the main courtyard, he looked around to see the forces Nimueh was already beginning to accumulate. Along with Agravaine and Lancelot, Cenred had returned with a report after allowing himself to be seen in Essetir. Davros had also temporarily returned. Mordred was sitting by a fire with several of his own men, laughing with Enmyria. The blasted dragon was sitting in the corner, coiled up, flanked by two wyvern, not far from the throne on which sat a furious looking Nimueh.
"Did you think dawdling would make me less angry Alvarr?" Nimueh hissed and he fell to his knees before her.
"No my lady of course not, the bird cannot move very fast, that's all I swear!" he protested, but her eyes narrowed dangerously and to his great alarm the bracelet she was wearing coiled around her wrist moved.
"I'm sure." She said derisively and Alvarr then spotted two vicious yellow eyes on her bracelet and he realised what it was.
A nathair.
"My lady please I beg you, don't-" he never got a chance to finish, as her eyes flashed gold and the little black snake leapt at him, making him scream in terror as it punished him. Mordred was watching with interest, purely professional, while Enmyria did look concerned for her lover. And the others were either sadistically enjoying it, or morbidly watching it, all the while hearing the dark chuckles of Mircéhreohr over the screams of Alvarr.
Nimueh watched with smug satisfaction as Alvarr twisted and writhed on the ground. Alvarr did have some uses that was true, as did Davros, Cenred, Agravaine, Lancelot and Enmyria.
But now the time for playing was over. Her allies were beginning to gather, as were her forces.
And now, it was time to up her game, greater weapons were needed for the battles to come. And the dragon had been right. It was time she recalled the Blood Guard (the ones that were left after that silly girl Morgause had gotten so many killed). Also, Alvarr's band were foolish, arrogant and small. There existed a greater force, and she could use that to her own advantage once she found it. And besides, Ruadan was an old ally of hers. But more than anything, it was time her most dedicated servant was returned to her, the greatest of all the Blood Guard. The one who had risked everything for her, and one of the most dangerous men in all the kingdoms. She would have her most faithful servant returned to her.
Smiling, she swept into her chambers, Alvarr's screams piercing the night, and began to look for the ones she sought.
XX
The city within the wooden walls was fairly large, surrounded by a large deep blue lake. Jagged and dark trees lined the shores, giving the city an imposing look. At the back of the city, a large stone arch had been built over a large bridge, covering the deep lake and leading to a high mound of land, upon which sat a tall, fortress like tower. And it was into here that the rider rode, entering the tower and allowing his horse to be taken back over the bridge to the royal stables.
The man dashed up the stairs, bound for the throne room, ignoring the sounds from everywhere but his location. Reaching the top of the castle, he shoved open the doors to see the throne room.
Covered in wooden panelling, there were roaring fires in every grate, with long wooden tables spread throughout the room. The messenger ran past the large round slab of stone, embossed with two intertwined snakes, and promptly fell to his knees at the steps to the throne, the entire room, filled with men dressed in leather, armour and other garments, all black, all of them sporting the red snakes embossed on their shields or arms, went silent.
"You seem to have something important to tell me. Rise." The voice, still firm, hard and strong after all these years commanded, and he got to his feet and beheld the highest ranking members of court.
In the main throne, made of iron, sat King Vortigern, the king of all the Saxons. A gaunt man, he was nevertheless powerfully built, his fighting days still upon him. He was clad in a dark blue outfit of a military cut, draped with the pelts of animals he had killed and binds of leather running up his arms. His eyes were wicked and sharp, his gaze as ruthless as his manner and rule. A jagged crown of silver covered the short, severe grey hair that covered his head, matching his grey eyes.
Behind and to his left was Vortigern's son, Catigern. The prince of the realm, he was not long into his true manhood, clad in jet black armour, the two serpents of the Saxons embossed in silver upon his breastplate. A lethal sword hung at his waist, melding into his well built body. His eyes were bluer than his fathers, but just as cold, though there was an excitement there as well. His hair was dark and short, wavy on top which made him the source of ogling throughout the kingdom for any whore that took his fancy.
But it was the other two that were the more intimidating sights. A massive giant of a man, he was nearly as wide as he was tall, however his width was not due to fat, but pure muscle. Covered in hair, he was draped in a cloak made from a direwolf that he had killed with his bare hands. His arms and legs like cannons, his chest like double barrels, his hair was brown and hanging to his shoulders, the top of his head beginning to go bald, and a large beard marked his face. His eyes were wicked and small but no less deadly, and in his hands was a large war hammer. His name was Hengest, the warlord, the general of all the Saxons and Vortigern's closest advisor.
But the one behind the throne itself, primed to whisper in the kings ear, that was the one who frightened grown men. Dressed in a flowing gown of shimmering gold, this was Maleagant, the Blood Sorceress, most trusted advisor to the king, for all intents and purposes she was all but queen. Acting as both friend, advisor, sister and mother to Vortigern, she performed much the same role to the heir to the throne, but was a lot more flirtatious in her dealings with him, knowing how much he desired her. Not old enough to be considered old, or even middle aged, but not young enough to be considered truly young, she was somewhere in between. A tall woman, she was slim and supple, her breasts not exactly large but not unnoticeable either. Her limbs were long and spindly looking, but they belied the true power in them, the blood red long nails and multiple decorations around her wrists showing her wealth, as did the large golden collar embossed with a red jewel around her neck. She had attracted many a gaze with her body alone, but her face was also a thing of beauty. Haughty, arrogant, beautiful, and deadly were many of the words used to describe her. Her high cheekbones gave her a look that would have been gaunt on anyone else, but she was fuller of face, giving her a beautiful but dangerous look. Her black eyes were wicked and calculating, utterly without warmth or devotion unless looking at the king or prince. Her hair was long and flowing, blood red in nature, styled high and combed into a tail. And on her face were small blood red tattoos, small drops of blood marked onto her skin beneath her eyes while there was a large drop on each side of her forehead and a further one beneath her bottom lip, and while it may put some off, it only added to her mystique. She was a Blood Sorceress, a powerful magic user, and a very deadly player of the politics that plagued the Saxon court.
"My king, I have just found out, your old foe, Uther Pendragon of Camelot, is dead a year past, and his son Arthur now rules in his stead." The messenger reported and then looked to the king.
Who threw back his head and laughed, a dark, evil cackle that would have made anyone shiver. Maleagant smiled behind him, and Hengest and Catigern smiled in anticipation.
A generation ago, just after the Great Purge, Vortigern had led the Saxons in an invasion of Albion, seeking to use the chaos of the purge and the weakness of the kingdoms to their advantage. Uther had rallied an army, gathering troops from across the five kingdoms and had firmly sacked the Saxons, forcing them back over the water into retreat, breaking their spirit and driving them away from Albion. But while they had retreated, they hadn't lost. As soon as they got back they had begun to once more arm for war, preying on their neighbours, all of them waiting for the day this time would come.
When they would get the chance to invade Albion once more, and make it pay tenfold for what Uther had done to them in their last war. And now Uther was dead, his son ruled, and no one in Albion had seen the Saxons for more than a century.
"Finally! Beroun!" Vortigern barked and a tall, broad man came forward and bowed his balding head.
"Yes sire?"
Vortigern smiled in a way akin to a snake would.
"Ride to the other cities. Tell them to prepare their armies. Hengest, rally the army and the fleet. Uther is finally dead. And now, we will get what is rightfully ours. Rightfully mine. We will attack Albion, and we will raze Camelot to the ground. Who's with me?" Vortigern asked to the room at large as he finished his speech, and the entire room burst into cheers, the thought of war permeating the room, and as one, the Saxons grinned, drew their swords and bowed to their king, who smiled.
"Keep what you own," he began.
"And take what you don't!" the men assembled bellowed and cheers, claps and whistled filled the room as the Saxons once more prepared for war.
This time Camelot would fall.
And here we are again!
Firstly, I'll apologise once again for the massive break, I did mean to do this earlier but then my other stories got in the way, and series five depressed me (poor Aithusa, poor Merlin, poor Arthur and yes even poor Morgana) and then writing my dissertation seemed to stretch on for ever (youd be surprised how much I can write when i really enjoy the subject im writing about, this for example) but now we're back on track
So here we are with two new chapters. That's the first section of the story over, we have a few more before the true calamity takes place but we're now back on track with a bit of luck. So, Alvarr has returned, Kay has made his choice and once more there is a traitor in Camelot. And if that wasnt enough Carrigan wants ever more power, Merlin as always has to keep his secret safe and now he's screwing Morgana behind Arthur's back on top of it all. At least we now have some new knights to lend a hand.
The look of the terror birds that attacked are based off of the terror birds in Primeval by the way.
And now events are on the move. Nimueh is gathering her forces, her plan coming to fruition. How many allies does she have to gather? Where do the Saxons fit in? And just who is it she is most keen to summon? And most important of all, what does this plan of hers entail?
Her plan begins next time in earnest as she begins to manipulate events for the great battle to come. Merlin senses something is coming and indeed it is, forces are now on the move that cannot be undone and tensions start to rise in Camelot next chapter.
Arthur is trying to make peace with the eastern kingdoms, but you can be sure Nimueh will be opposed to that. The Saxons are gathering, and Nimueh is on the move. So the next section we have the upcoming peace treaty, the events surrounding that, rising tensions as it becomes clear that great events are in motion, a return of Dragoon and someone else finds out about Merlin all in the next section!
Hopefully it will be updated a lot sooner (especially since I've just finished watching all five seasons through on dvd (i was in tears with the last episode)) so hopefully poor Merlin will not be as neglected as he has been of late
Sorry again for the long wait, hope it was worth it, and until next time, please read and review!