Disclaimer: I do now own Merlin.
Chapter 15 – Le Morte d'Arthur
Arthur wandered aimlessly as he thought on what he saw; the betrayal of his friend, and especially his wife weighing heavily on him. He felt his anger rise the more he thought on it and he felt himself turning in the direction of the royal chambers. He stopped a passing servant along the way as a stray thought hit him.
"Cancel the feast tonight." He snapped.
"Sire?" The servant asked, surprised.
"I said cancel it!" He yelled as he walked on, though he stopped and turned back suddenly. "And have Lancelot brought to the throne room. Immediately!" He was barely aware of the servant acknowledging his command and scurrying away as he himself stalked off. Reaching the royal chambers Arthur banged the door open, drawing the attention of its inhabitants.
"Arthur!" Gwen said reproachfully as Eleanor yelped in fright at the noise.
"Leave." He said, pointing out the open door. "Alaria, take the children and leave. The Queen and I need to have a word in private." Confused, though recognizing this was a command not to question, Alaria did as commanded and took Eleanor and William by the hand, leading them out. Arthur shut the door behind them and leaned his head against it, taking a deep breath as he prepared for the discussion to come.
"Arthur? What is wrong?" Gwen asked, coming over and placing a hand on his shoulder, though he shook it off.
"How long, Guinevere?" He asked, finally turning to face her. "How long have you been going behind my back with Lancelot?" Gwen's face froze in one of shock.
"W-what?"
"I saw you today. The two of you, together in a deserted corridor after the tournament, your lips on his, talking about how I suspected nothing." His voice was thick with emotion as he stared Gwen down, though every word he said only confused her more.
"Arthur I wasn't in a deserted corridor today. After the tournament I came straight here to rest. I only awoke shortly before you stormed in, when Alaria brought the children." Arthur wasn't buying it.
"Oh, and can anyone confirm that? Did anyone witness you returning here and not leaving?"
"No, but Arthur, do you even hear yourself? How could you possibly think that I would ever betray you?"
"I didn't think it was possible, but I saw you with my own eyes!" His voice raised as he thought back to what he had seen.
"Really?" Gwen felt her anger rising as well at being accused of such a thing, though her tears betrayed her sorrow as well. "Well have you ever thought your own eyes could be lying to you? Because you know full well that I would never betray you! Not in that way, not in any way! For some reason I can't remember at this moment, I love you, Arthur Pendragon, and you know that very well, yet still you insult me, and break my heart with your accusations!" Her show of anger and attempt to turn the tables on him was apparently exactly the wrong thing to say for it only enraged him more.
"I should have known you lied those years ago when you said that naught passed between you and Lancelot. It seems my instincts were right. You are hereby confined to these chambers until I am of a mind to deal with you in accordance with the laws of Britain." He said, his voice having gone deathly quiet. "Your lover, however, will be dealt with now." He moved towards the door.
"Arthur!" She cried going after him. "Arthur, don't you dare walk out on me now! Arthur! Arthur please!" Her shouts followed him as he opened the door and slammed it shut. She pounded on the door and continued to shout at him, the noise drawing the attention of two guards who rushed to see what was happening.
"Guard the door." Arthur ordered them. "The Queen is neither to leave nor receive visitors." The guards nodded to their King, though looked to each other, wondering if the other understood why they were being given this order, especially given the shouting and pounding still taking place on the other side of the door. "The Queen must rest." Arthur offered as a very brief explanation. Knowing, as the entire kingdom did, of The Queen's delicate condition the guards accepted that explanation and took their posts as Arthur made his way to the throne room. He entered and immediately made his way to his throne, briefly noting that Lancelot was already there, along with the other Knights of the Round Table. Taking a seat, Arthur slowly looked up upon his confused Knights, finally fixing his gaze upon Lancelot.
"You once saved my life, Sir Lancelot." He began.
"Uh…yes, Sire." The Knight said when Arthur remained silent too long, as if waiting for a reply.
"It is for this reason, and this reason alone, that I spare your life this day." Shock registered on all eight of the Knights faces.
"S-sire?" Lancelot gasped.
"You were spotted, Lancelot. You and Guinevere, in a deserted corridor…alone…together."
"What?! Sire I assure you-"
"Don't lie to me!" Arthur thundered, jumping up and stalking towards his former friend. "I saw you, you with your lips all over my wife!"
"My Lord-"
"Silence! There is naught you can say that will ever make me forget the sight of you wrapped around her!" Arthur was breathing heavily, staring Lancelot down with furious eyes. Lancelot's own were incredulous, unable to believe what he was hearing. Knowing there was no trace of his friend before him but rather every inch The High King, and not knowing what else to do, Lancelot sank to his knees.
"Sire, I swear to you that The Queen and I have not betrayed you in such a way, not betrayed you in any way. The Queen loves you, My Lord, that is clear for all to see, and I am but your humble servant, unworthy-"
"You can spare us your false humility, it suits you not." Arthur snarled, returning to his throne. "You are hereby stripped of your title and banned from Camelot, be grateful it is not from all of Britain. Should you return it is upon pain of death." Lancelot said nothing, while the other Knights looked like they wished to say a lot, though thought better of it at the moment. "You have one hour to pack and leave. Guards!" The doors opened at once at The King's command. "See Lancelot to his chambers, and ensure he leaves Camelot within the hour."
"Uh…o-of course, Sire." One of them said, though both looked as confused as everyone else. They came forward and flanked Lancelot who continued to stare at Arthur in shock, though there was no mercy in The King's eyes. When he took too long to stand, one of the guards clapped a hand on Lancelot's shoulder, prompting him into motion. When the doors closed behind them, the silence the other Knights had abided by disappeared.
"Arthur, what is the meaning of this?" Leon all but demanded.
"Careful that you do not forget yourself, Sir Leon." Came the snapped reply.
"Sire," The First Knight tried again, though he could not keep the sarcasm out of this voice. "What is this all about?"
"You cannot truly believe that either Lancelot or Gwen-or The Queen would betray you." Percival added, the others content to allow the two First Knights to do the speaking.
"I know what I saw, Sir Percival. They have indeed betrayed me." Standing, Arthur made his way to the door. "I shall be on the training field. Given The Queen's condition I must clear my head before I speak with her again." The Knights let him go, not knowing what else to say. When he was gone they looked to each other, each trying to make sense of this, though coming up short. Finally, Leon came up with a plan.
"Percival, go to The Prince and Princess, ensure that they are alright and stay with them until one of us comes for you. We don't know what is going on but whatever it is it is not as Arthur says. Something is afoot." Percival nodded and ran off, leaving the others to Leon. "Gwaine, you and Dagonet go and speak with Lancelot. Stay with him as long as you can, but do not stop him from leaving; I fear in his current mind Arthur will do something he will regret if he hears Lancelot did not leave the castle. Ensure Lancelot knows to stay close by, but to stay hidden, ensure you know where he can be found, for when we get to the bottom of this he will be returning to Camelot." The two nodded and took off as well. "The rest of you are to find Merlin. Tell him what's happened and send him to Arthur at once; I don't care what he's doing, this is more important. I shall go to The Queen and hear her side of this tale." The plan set, the rest left the throne room and took off in their respective directions. Leon ran all the way to the royal chambers, finding the two guards outside and getting angry when they would not let him inside.
"Let me pass!" The First Knight ordered, his hand going to his sword while his face was set in a glare that had lesser men running. These two clearly wished they could do just that, but found the courage to hold their ground knowing they had orders from the one person no one could overrule.
"Our apologies, Sir Leon, but it is The King's orders." Leon growled but as they knew could do nothing to supersede his King.
"Fine. If I cannot go in, then I shall speak here." Reaching passed them he banged on the door. "Your Majesty!" Although they were certain The King would not approve, the guards had no direct orders to not allow anyone to speak through the door and so decided to not intervene.
"Leon!" he heard the muffled sound of Gwen's voice followed by the soft thump on the door, indicating she was directly on the other side. "Leon it's not true, I swear!"
"I know. I know, Gwen." He relaxed the formalities. "We will sort this out, I promise."
"My children…"
"Percival has gone to them already and will remain with them until this is over." He assured her, hearing her sigh of relief. "We will get to the bottom of this quickly. We're searching for Merlin, he'll sort this." He amended, knowing that aside from Gwen, who being at the centre of this could not perform her usual role, it was Merlin who would be able to calm The King and set everything to rights. "I must go join them, but have faith, Gwen. All will be put right soon."
oo00oo00oo
Merlin ran onto the training fields, having not stopped since Galahad had found him and frantically told him what had happened.
"What in God's name is going on?!" Merlin yelled when he spotted Arthur, jogging over and stopping just outside of the range of Arthur's sword as he practiced some drills.
"What do you think is going on?" Arthur retorted.
"How should I know? I know it can't be what Galahad says it is, so that's why I'm asking!"
"Considering he was in the room when it all came out, I assure you it is as Sir Galahad says." Merlin scoffed and waited for further explanation; however, when none came he moved with a speed and skill to disarm Arthur only made available to him after years of being The King's practice dummy. With his sword gone, Arthur furiously turned to face Merlin who took the chance to hold him in place, and force The King to look him in the eyes.
"You don't seriously believe that either Lancelot or Gwen, especially Gwen, could ever betray you?" It was a simple yes or no question.
"No." Arthur said finally, falling to the ground and dropping his head in his hands, his anger finally having left him. "I know she could never betray me." He got to the crux of the matter; Lancelot's supposed betrayal was a blow, certainly, but Gwen's was simply heartbreaking.
"Arthur, what happened?" Merlin asked again as he joined his friend on the ground.
"I was walking back to the royal chambers after the tournament. I took the back way, which is faster from the lists as you know, and when I came to the corridor with the dead end, the one so out of the way its frequented by lovers having a tryst," Merlin nodded, knowing the corridor well as he himself had frequented it with Mithian after he'd given in but before their wedding when they couldn't bear to be parted, though Rodor seemed intent on it until they were properly wed. "I heard Gwen's voice, and Lancelot's. I snuck a look around the corner and there they were, in each other's arms, his lips and hands all over her…I left when Lancelot said they could be caught, and Gwen answered that I suspected nothing."
"And you're certain it was them?"
"It was their voices, their faces! Now that I can think clearly I know neither of them, especially Guinevere, would ever betray me…but I know what I saw…"
"Magic." Merlin gave the answer for why Arthur had seen what he did, though they both knew it was impossible. Arthur nodded, having come to that conclusion himself eventually.
"But who? And why?" He asked the questions they now needed answers to. "This is no mere prank, it was meant to hurt me and cause irreparable discord. But we are not at war, and in fact there have been no troubles within the entire kingdom, beyond the occasional bandit on the road, for five years!"
"I know. And we will get to the bottom of this, I promise you. And when we do, I swear to make the sorcerer who did this suffer." Merlin was not a bloodthirsty person, far from it in fact, but an attack like this was unforgivable, and as The Lord Mage it was his duty to see to those responsible. Arthur clapped a hand on Merlin's shoulder, nodding his thanks, before he stood.
"I should go speak to Guinevere." He said. "I don't know how she'll forgive my accusations."
"Just be honest with her and she'll forgive you. Regardless of the calm, collected Queen she appears to the people, and is for the most part, she does have a temper on her. She would have reacted the same way if she had seen you with another woman." Arthur nodded, knowing he was right, and knowing he would have to face that temper now.
"I also need to send someone after Lancelot."
"No need, it's already been done." Arthur looked surprised by this.
"Oh come on, did you think we don't know you well enough to know that once you calmed down you'd be all apologetic?" Merlin scoffed. "Leon sent Gwaine and Dagonet to ensure that Lancelot knew not to go very far, when Galahad found me I told him to send them after him and bring him back. They might have even returned by now...and are just keeping him out of sight until you're calm enough to see him." Arthur laughed softly and bowed his head, silently thanking his friends, and knowing he'd have to make it up to them.
"I'll see him just as soon as I've seen Guinevere." He replied, the two taking off towards the castle. Their leisurely pace, however, turned into a run when the bells sounded, calling the men to arms. The two sprinted towards the council chamber, passing countless guards as they dashed towards the courtyard. When the bells sounded, the standard procedure was for the Knights to gather in the council chamber to form a plan for whatever emergency had arisen, while the guards gathered in the courtyard awaiting orders. Throwing the doors open, Arthur immediately looked to his Knights, seeing Lancelot among them who gulped nervously knowing the last time he'd been in The King's presence he was told he returned to Camelot only upon pain of death.
"Sir Lancelot." Arthur began, emphasizing the title he had taken away, though was clearly giving back. "You have my sincerest apologies and my promise to explain all. But now is not the time, I think."
"Certainly not, Sire." Lancelot agreed, breathing easily again.
"What has happened?" Arthur demanded.
"We are under attack, Sire." Gwaine wasted no time. "Dagonet and I had no sooner left the castle walls to find Lancelot then we spotted him heading swiftly back of his own accord." Arthur turned to Lancelot for an explanation.
"It's the Saxons, Sire. I followed Sir Leon's orders to hide nearby and came across them in the woods. They are at our gates in numbers far exceeding our own. And Sire…Mordred and Morgana lead them."
"What?!" He cried. "Impossible, they are both dead!"
"We never did find their bodies." Leon reminded him.
"It would explain what you saw." Merlin added. "Morgana using her illusions to try and sow discord just before an attack of this magnitude is exactly something she would do." Thinking on it Arthur knew Merlin was right, but something still did not make sense.
"How could they have raised such an army without us knowing? My uncle-"
"Lord Agravaine is among them, Sire." Lancelot added. "I saw him myself speaking with Morgana as a favoured commander."
"He was my eyes and ears in the Saxon territory." Arthur muttered. "I trusted him to squash any rebellion and inform me of any he could not." His voice rose the more that fell into place. "He sat at this very table not a month ago and reported that all was well, yet all the while he was helping our greatest enemy raise an army!"
"And she has chosen her time well." Tristan added. "With all the celebrations going on she ensured that only Camelot's army would be here with no extra men at arms as the rest of Albion's monarchs oversaw their own celebrations."
"As such the rest of Britain's army is too far away to help us." Added Bors.
"Then we are on our own." Dagonet concluded, though instead of defeated, he sounded both angry and resigned to the fight ahead, his hand even going to his sword.
"You will have all my power at your backs." Merlin said, his own voice having gone hard, and his eyes blazing with determination. "I swore to make the one responsible pay and I will." He said to Arthur directly. "This time she will pay with her life." Arthur nodded his thanks and got down to business.
"Ready the men and take the fight as far away from Camelot as possible. The six of you each take your own battalions and go around separate ways to cut off any escape; I assume Lancelot informed you of their exact location? Then go." He added when they nodded affirmatively, leaving only Merlin and Leon with him. "Where is Percival?"
"He is with William and Eleanor." Said Leon. "No doubt Gwen and Mithian have joined them once the alarm sounded."
"Good. Leon, send four men at arms to help Percival protect them then join the others." Leon nodded and headed for the door. "And Leon!" The First Knight turned back around. "Have them tell Guinevere I am sorry." With a small smile, Leon left to do as he was bid.
"I will summon Aithusa and Kilgharrah both." Merlin informed him. "Their army may vastly outnumber us at the moment but two dragons will see the odds changed."
"We should not use them so. Dragons are not weapons, Merlin, Kilgharrah will not appreciate this." The Dragonlord stared at him blankly for a moment before he burst out laughing.
"You're concerned with their feelings when every life in Camelot is in jeopardy?" He shook his head as his laughter subsided. "You never cease to amaze me, Arthur Pendragon."
"Right well there is that." Arthur muttered. "I suppose we'll just have to make it up to Kilgharrah after. Let's go, we don't want to be too far behind-" He was cut off as the bells rang once more followed by a great roar heard outside the castle. The two took off, racing for the nearest door to outside and coming to a stop on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Saxons were racing through the portcullis, taking many of their men by surprise while in the distance more could be seen fighting in the town; they'd never gotten the chance to take the fight outside of Camelot, the Saxons were upon them too fast. Arthur saw Merlin wave his hand and felt his armour appear, snapping into place over his tunic.
"Thank you." He said. Merlin nodded and the two simultaneously reached out, grasping the other's arm. "Go with God, my friend, and make sure you come back alive."
"You as well." Merlin said. With a quick nod, Arthur unsheathed his sword, feeling the familiar wash of power as Excalibur flashed to life. Another wave of magic hit him and Arthur suddenly found himself on the ground below. As the rage of battle overtook him, Arthur let out a great roar of his own, it being matched only by that of his friend who called up to the heavens.
"Dragon! Imala! Sungente gumenta! Keshophanekes!"
oo00oo00oo
Gwen watched from the window with ever growing dread as the battle progressed. It seemed that every time one of their men cut down a Saxon four more took its place. When the first of The Knights of the Round Table were run through Gwen felt tears fall and they had yet to stop. Not even the arrival of Aithusa and Kilgharrah had turned the battle in their favour. With no clear battle lines drawn they could not use their fire without harming Camelot's soldiers as well and so it worked only so far as to end those who had yet to enter the city. On the one had, there would be no more reinforcements for the Saxons, on the other hand it seemed they did not need it. A bright burst of light caught Gwen's attention and she turned her head to see Merlin and Morgana fighting their own battle with magic up on the battlements. Knowing Merlin had her well in hand Gwen turned her attention back to the melee below, searching frantically for Arthur. Finally she spotted him, just in time for him to intercept a blow from Mordred. Gwen reached over and grasped Percival's hand, the First Knight watching alongside her and wishing he could be down there, though knowing protecting The Queen, Prince and Princess was the priority. The two watched as even with Excalibur, Arthur was pushed back time and time again. Finally, along with two fellow Saxons who teamed up against The High King, Mordred was able to disarm Arthur. Gwen felt her heart catch in her throat seeing the triumphant look in Mordred's eyes as he slowly bent and picked up Arthur's blade. The fact that it had become ordinary outside Arthur's hands did not seem to bother the Saxon King one bit as he took the blade and swung. Arthur was able to dodge the first blow, but without his own weapon could not dodge the second. Gwen cried out when the sword pierced Arthur's armour and she fell with him, feeling as if her life had been snuffed out just as easily as husband's had been.
"Gwen…" Percival muttered, unable to stop his own tears after having seen his lifelong friend and King die before his eyes. Gwen curled into Percival's embrace, though she found no comfort there.
"Mama?" William asked. He and Eleanor had been playing on the floor with Alaria and Mithian, unaware as to what was going on in the courtyard below, though neither could ignore their mother's distress. Gwen reached for her children and held them close, unable to find the words to tell them they would never see their father again. It appeared, however, that she may not have to for a loud bang was heard in the corridor beyond; the Saxons had gained entry to the castle and were no doubt searching for them. Percival leapt to his feet and unsheathed his sword, the four men at arms Arthur had sent following his lead. They had barricaded the door, but as the first bang rattled it they knew it would not hold. Alaria and Mithian both joined Gwen and the children against the far wall as the Saxons continued to ram the door, finally gaining entry. Six men entered the room, the first immediately losing their life. A short battle ensued in which three more Saxons died, though so did the four men at arms, until it was Percival who stood alone. The First Knight of Camelot was worth several Saxons in any regular circumstance, though Percival had both limited space, and the added requirement of not allowing either Saxon passed him. The restrictions proved too much and one of them was able to land a lucky blow.
"Percy!" Eleanor shouted in distress as she watched him fall. The Saxons then turned their sights on their true targets. Alaria stepped forward into their path and was quickly cut down, as was Mithian when she attempted the same leaving only Gwen between them and her children. The High Queen of Britain pushed down her sorrows and raised herself up, appearing every inch the queen she was.
"If you lay one hand on my children, you will not live to regret it." She hissed.
"And who's gonna stop us, eh?" They chuckled back. "You? Maybe we'll spare the brats, if you do something for us. Never fucked a queen before." More laughter ensued though Gwen did not even feel an ounce of fear for herself.
"Naw, I don't fancy it when some other man's seed has already taken root." One of them said and Gwen's instinctively went to her rounded belly. "Let's get this over with and get out of here."
"To get out of here alive you will need to get passed The High King and Lord Emrys. Not very good odds are they?" She tried to threaten. It appeared to work somewhat, for they cringed at the thought, but still would not be deterred. Deciding to get it over with they pulled out a pair of daggers and stalked forwards.
"You have no honour!" Gwen spat. "Though I suppose killing a woman with child and two children is about the level you Saxons are on!" The words had barely left her mouth when Gwen felt the dagger pierce her belly. She spared a brief thought for her now dead unborn child before forcing herself to turn in the direction of her screaming children as she fell to her knees. She wanted to tell them it would be alright, to comfort them, though she could neither find the strength, nor was there time. As The High Queen of Britain drew her last breaths, she was conscious enough to be grateful her children's deaths were swift and painless.
oo00oo00oo
Up on the battlements Merlin threw a ball of fire at Morgana, having taken a leaf out of her book. The ball hit its mark, causing the Witch's sleeve to go up in flames and forcing her to take time to put them out. When she looked up again it was to find that Merlin had used the few moments of time his attack had given him to power up an even stronger one. Not sure she could survive this attack, Morgana tried a different tactic.
"I have already won, Emrys! Your King has fallen!" Her words did not appear to have any effect, no doubt Merlin thought she was bluffing, but this was no rouse. "See? Look there, in the courtyard as Mordred stands triumphant!" Merlin could no longer ignore her and turned his head to look into the courtyard below. The power he had been gathering disappeared upon seeing that she was right and Morgana was set to claim victory, except she had not counted upon Merlin's fury. Seeing his friend lying there unmoving, the pool of blood forming around him, and Saxon King that had been Arthur's bane for years standing over him proved too much for the warlock. Merlin let out a terrifying roar of pain and fury that had his magic responding without his command. The shock of pure power that left him ran over all of Camelot, ending the battle. When he came to, Merlin became aware that no one moved. He looked to Morgana but could not find her; further investigation saw him locate her on the ground below. Using his magic Merlin jumped from the battlements, landing softly beside her, seeing that she was once and for all dead. But she was not the only one. Mordred, who only moments before had stood proudly over Arthur's dead body, now lay beside him, his eyes open and unseeing. Looking around Merlin saw that the same fate had befallen everyone in Camelot, Saxon or Briton alike, all were dead; the magic that had escaped him had seen to that. Not caring about anyone else, Merlin dropped beside Arthur and pulled his friend's limp body into his arms, begging him to wake up, though he knew deep down it was useless. So lost in his grief, Merlin was unaware that he had been joined by the only two beings within Camelot that had been left alive.
"Merlin, there is nothing you can do." Kilgharrah spoke.
"I failed." He sobbed back, refusing to let Arthur go.
"No, young warlock, for all that you have dreamt of building has come to pass."
"I can't lose him! He's my friend!"
"No man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. Some lives have been foretold, Merlin. Arthur is not just a king, he is The Once and Future King. Take heart, for when Britain's need is greatest, Arthur will rise again."
"Gwen…" He mumbled, his thoughts going to her too, knowing that her life had been foretold as well.
"Yes, The Once and Future Queen will stand by his side when the time comes." Kilgharrah agreed. "United, the two will see another Golden Age brought to life."
"Mithian!" Once a thought other than Arthur was able to penetrate his mind it wasn't long before others followed, the next naturally being of his wife.
"I am sorry, Merlin." Was all The Great Dragon said on that subject, but Merlin could not leave it there. If one thing could pull him away from Arthur at a time like this it was his wife, and Merlin needed to know. Jumping to his feet, he raced inside and up to the royal chambers, knowing she would be there. He came to a sudden stop when he entered the room, seeing the bodies that littered it. Percival's was enough to see him crying again, while Gwen, William, and Eleanor's was enough to send him to his knees. Spotting his wife he forced himself to go to her side and held her as he had Arthur. He did not know how long he sat there, but when his tears ran dry, Merlin leaned down and gave Mithian one last kiss before leaving her and returning to Arthur. The two dragons had awaited him, knowing he would need them, and Merlin was thankful for it.
"I was right." He whispered. "Even though I thought she would at least grow old, I still watched her die and now must live eternity alone."
"You won't be alone." Aithusa said in their shared mind. "I will never leave you. Kilgharrah will not either, at least for a time." She amended, knowing The Great Dragon was already thousands of years old and his time would come in the not too distant future. Merlin nodded his thanks, but the sorrow would not lift. Still, he knew he could not leave things as they were. With a wave of his hand, Merlin made the bodies of the Saxons and Morgana disappear; to where he sent them he knew not, nor did he care. Another wave saw the Britons disappear as well, though Merlin ensured they would be buried properly, the city's cemetery having just grown exponentially. A third wave saw Arthur, Mithian, Gwen, the children, Nan, Gaius, Hunith, and The Knights of the Round Table, along with their families, appear before him. These were his friends, his family and he would honour them above all others.
"They will be buried on The Isle of the Blessed." He said. "The magic there will safeguard them until it is time for them to rise again."
"Only The Once and Future King and Queen are said to rise again." Kilgharrah reminded him. Merlin shook his head as their roles reversed for the moment, this time it being Merlin who was the font of wisdom.
"The ancient prophecies say The Once and Future King and Queen will rise again and create a new Golden Age, they do not say no one else can rise with them. Arthur and Guinevere will need everyone here if they are to succeed. Arthur once said that it is not him alone who will achieve great things, that he could only do it with his friends and family by his side. And he's right." Kilgharrah smiled softly seeing the man the boy he had once known had become. With his decision made, merlin waved his hand one final time and sent his family to The Isle of the Blessed, knowing he would join them soon to bury them properly. With them gone he had no reason to remain in Camelot and so with a quick word to Aithusa he climbed on her back and the two dragons took off, landing on a hill overlooking Camelot.
"I will hide it." Merlin said of the castle. "Until its rightful King is ready to reclaim his throne, none shall sit in Camelot."
"And the other Britons?" The Great Dragon asked. "They will come in search of their King, are they to find no remnants of him?"
"I will inform the other monarchs what has happened here, they do not need to come to Camelot. Eventually, in a few generations, Camelot will be naught but a myth and none will lay eyes on her until The Once and Future King and Queen return." Summoning his magic, Merlin raised his arms and watched as a soft burst of magic left him and made its way to the castle. As his cloaking spell settled over Camelot, Merlin watched as the place he had lived all his life disappeared before his eyes, leaving nothing but forest before him.
"It has been a privilege to have known you, young warlock." Kilgharrah spoke once more. Merlin looked to him, standing just a bit taller at the destiny that now lay before him. "The story we have been a part of will live long in the minds of men, told in the legends of King Arthur, and his wise companion, Merlin."
A/N - So everyone's dead...
That wasn't my original plan, I originally decided to do something closer to canon with only Arthur (and possibly a few others) dying and ending it along the same lines with the rest of Britain carrying on while Merlin awaits Arthur's return. But then I made Gwen The Once and Future Queen alongside him and so they both had to die to rise again and as their resurrection is a key part of the story I decided to continue it to accommodate that. As such everyone is dead and there are more chapters coming set in the future.
On another note, no, Gwen (and Lancelot) did not betray Arthur, come on guys. Even Arthur knew that she wasn't capable of that once he calmed down. I get that Guinevere's affair is a part of Arthurian legend (though we can pinpoint when it joined the legend, the older, more original tales having Guinevere completely faithful to Arthur), but in the reviews and PMs I got not one person was convinced it was some kind of trick; there was hope that it was, but no one was certain. Not even after I set it up, albeit briefly, several chapters ago when Morgana was using illusions to change herself or the Saxons into other people then using the trust others have in who they think are their loved ones to her advantage. Very similar situation here, with Morgana using her illusions to take the trust Arthur has in Gwen and use it to break his heart and cause chaos.
Anyways, for those of you hoping Gwen didn't really betray Arthur, you got your wish! See you all next week with the first chapter of their re-awakening!
