Life Outside of the Shadows

by TreeOfLife1997

Based at the end of series four. When Merlin reveals his magic to save the life of Isolde, has he just sacrificed Albion's golden future? Or has he just began the new age? Arthur and the knights must come to terms with Merlin's magic. So with a little help from Taliesin, they watch Merlin's adventures. And with a new form of dark magic rising, will all be learnt before all is lost?

13. Chapter 12

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter twelve: Excalibur and The labyrinth of Gedref.

Gwaine sat in silence, everyone had noticed it. But no one knew what to do, whenever anyone was upset it was always Merlin who knew what to do. Taliesin notices, too.

"Gwaine," He states. "When this next story is over, I will take you to see Merlin."

Gwaine looks up. "He was found then?"

Taliesin nodes. "He was returned home late last night, after all of you had gone to sleep. He passed out not long after he got back and still hasn't woken up yet."

"What happened to him?"

"He was pushed off a cliff." Taliesin answers.

Gwaine looks alarmed. "Is he okay?"

"He cracked his skull, broke five ribs, fractured a wrist, broke his ankle and gained quite a lot of small injures. All those have been healed now, and he will wake up soon. Gaius said it would be good for him to see a friend, so I'm choosing you to see him. I believe you need to see him, too."

Gwaine nodes. "Well then let's get on with the story."

"Our story begins with the witch Nimueh standing over a grave in the catacombs below Camelot. Casting a spell, the grave cracks open and a skeleton hand appears through the opening. Meanwhile in the throne room Arthur is being crowned prince, while Gwen and Merlin joke about it. Suddenly a black knight on horseback bursts through the window showering everyone in glass. Arthur and the knights all draw their swords, as people start running. Gwen and Merlin are the only two who don't run as they watch the black knight approach the king and knights. The black knight throws down one of his gauntlet, but before Arthur can pick it up, sir Owain, picks it up and accepts the challenge."

"Single combat to the death." Tristan mutters. "That can't be good if that knight was risen from the grave."

Isolde glances around. "Is it normal for the dead to attack Camelot? I've heard you have been attacked by a lot people who were bought back from the dead."

Percival shrugs. "I guess it must be the easiest form of dark magic."

Elyan shakes his head. "No, it's the only one everyone knows we cannot kill. You can't kill what is already dead."

"I'm just glad Merlin's always there to stop it." Gwen mutters. "It must be him, he's the only one with enough power to do so."

"We have a lot to thank Merlin for." Leon mutters.

Arthur shakes his head. "You can kill the dead. My father killed the black knight."

"And we all know Merlin had something to do with that," Gwaine mutters. "You should know that by now."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Later that night Merlin and Gaius talk about the black knight. Meanwhile Arthur is speaking with Morgana and Gwen and complains about how Owain shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet. Later still Gaius goes down to the library and speaks with Geoffrey, they work out who the black knight is. Afterwards Gaius goes and tells Uthur, who sits at a table, sword lain before him. As it turns out Uthur was the one who killed him, the black knight."

"So who is this black knight?" Percival asks.

"He was one of Arthur's uncles. A bother of his mother, Uthur killed him after he challenged him to single combat." Taliesin answers.

"Why? What did my father do?" Arthur asks.

"Your uncle found out the truth about your birth."

"What do you mean?"

"You will find out soon enough."

"The following day Arthur and Merlin prepare sir Owain for battle. Not long after Gwen appears with a token from Morgana for Owain to wear. Later on the battle field, Merlin watches the fight, with Gaius beside him. Merlin cheers as the Owain stabs the black knight through the middle, but it does not damage to the knight and Owain is killed. The black knight throwers down his gauntlet once more and another knight takes the challenge. As the black knight leaves Merlin tells Gaius he should be dead, but Gaius replies maybe he already is. After the battle Arthur has a go at his father, for stopping him from taking up the challenge. Later that night Merlin and Gaius go down in to the catacombs, as they enter the door is slammed shut behind them and Merlin uses magic to light a torch, they make their way through the graves and find one grave that has broken into or someone has broken out of. Not long after Gaius and Merlin head back, Gaius quickly explains who the dark knight is and what happened to him. They decide that they are dealing with a wraith. No mortal weapon can kill it."

"What is a wraith?" Elyan asks.

"It is the soul of a troubled spirit summoned from the grave to live once more, by powerful magic." Taliesin answers.

"Would Merlin be able to do something like that?" Percival asks.

"It is possible, but it is a form of dark magic. Merlin would only use it if he had no other choice."

Gwen nodes. "Can Merlin speak with the dead?"

"I believe he can, if he wishes it. There is a reason for that, but that is a story only he can tell you."

Leon sighs. "But the question is would Merlin tell us if we asked? I know he can get out of answering any question is he wishes it, we would have no way of forcing him to answer."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"The following day the Black knight battles once more, this time everyone sees it suffer a mortal wound, but it recovers and then kills the knight who he was fighting. This time Arthur challenges him to combat, but to the displeasure of Uthur. Later Arthur and Uthur have an augment. Knowing no mortal weapon can kill it, Merlin starts looking for a spell that can kill it. Later that night Gaius speaks with Uthur and tells him what he believes has happened. Gaius tells Uthur he must tell Arthur the truth about his birth or Arthur will go to his death."

"What truth?" Arthur demands. "Tell me."

Taliesin shakes his head. "It will be told soon, you will not have to wait long until you find out. But you will not like the answer."

"Merlin sneaks out the castle and casts a spell setting the black knight on fire, but it does nothing to harm the knight. He quickly runs back to the castle and straight to Arthur. After Merlin tries to warn Arthur he nearly gets his head chopped off with a sword so he leaves knowing there is only one thing he can do. Back in the hall, out of the shadows Nimueh appears and speaks to Uthur about the truth behind Arthur's birth. That Uthur used magic to have Arthur and in exchange for Arthur life, his mother's was taken.

Arthur froze, everything he and been told about his mother's death was true. Merlin had lied to him.

"He lied to me!" Arthur yells. "Merlin told me that wasn't true, when he knew it was true all along."

Leon glares at Arthur. "And if he hadn't, you would have killed your father. Merlin knew you would never be able to live with yourself if you killed your father. He did it because it was the best for you."

Arthur just shakes his head. "I can't believe I ever trusted him. He lied about this, he lied about magic. What else has he lied about? I can't believe I was about to trust him again. All those with magic are evil."

"How can you say that?" Gwen shrieks at him. "Merlin best friend died in his arms and Merlin was unable to heal him, because if he did he would have been burnt because he lied to keep Merlin safe. Merlin has risked his life for you. Just because he couldn't tell you the truth doesn't make him a liar."

Arthur shakes his head. "He lied to me, about my mother, of all people. He knew she meant more to me than anyone else."

"And if he hadn't lied you would have killed you father in cold blood." Leon replies.

"That is no reason to lie."

"So what you'll have him killed! The truth about your mother death makes Uthur the bad person here. Not Merlin. Merlin hasn't killed hundreds of innocent people because he could not live with his own guilt! If anything this shows how much Merlin is willing to sacrifice for you, if you had killed your father magic would have been freed! But Merlin knew you wouldn't be able to live with the guilt, so he lied, meaning more of his kind would be killed and maybe even him if he wasn't careful." Gwen rants.

"Do not speak of my father in such a way!" Arthur yells.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Down in the library Merlin is looking through book after book for a weapon that can kill the dead. Suddenly Geoffrey appears behind Merlin. After he and Merlin talk, he tells him of a blade that can kill the dead. A couple of hours later Geoffrey finally finds the book with the weapon in it. A sword forged in a dragon's breath. Merlin runs from the library straight down to Gwen's house, where he asks for the best sword her father had ever made. Meanwhile Morgana begs Arthur not to fight. Elsewhere in the castle Uthur and Gaius talk, where Uthur said he will take Arthur's place in the fight. Back in Gwen's house she gives Merlin the sword her father has been saving, the best sword he had ever made. Merlin thanks her and takes it to the dragon. Merlin promises the dragon that Arthur and Arthur alone will wield the sword. And so the dragon and Merlin forge the sword.

"That's Excalibur!" Gwen gasps. "Arthur that sword you pulled from the stone is the best sword my father ever made."

Elyan smiles. "Excalibur is a great sword, but why did Merlin put it in a stone in the middle of the wood why not just give it to Arthur?"

Arthur draws Excalibur. "It's just another thing Merlin has lied about." He throws the sword to the ground.

Taliesin picks it up, quickly. "Merlin and the great dragon made this sword for you and you alone. Do not cast it away as if it is nothing more than waste of space. In the wrong hands this sword can do great damage. Merlin will not be pleased you have done this."

"Plus," Gwaine mutters. "It's not like he could have told you how he forged it and put it in a stone in the middle of a forest."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Later that night Gaius drugs Arthur knocking him out. The next day Uthur fights the wraith with the sword. And so Uthur fights and wins with the help of the sword. Later that night Merlin gets told off by the dragon because Uthur fought with the blade. The great dragon tells Merlin to put the sword where no mortal can wield it, so Merlin casts the sword into the lake of Avalon."

"If he threw it into the lake of Avalon how did it end up in the stone?" Percival asks.

Taliesin smiles. "That is a story for another time."

Gwaine gets to his feet from where he was sitting. "Well, it's time for me to see Merlin."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Our story begins deep in the forest Arthur, Merlin and a couple of knights are out hunting. Spotting something through the trees, Merlin is sent forward to see what it is. It is a unicorn, after Arthur shots it, Merlin tries to comfort the unicorn as it dies, looking up he sees an old man dresses in robes appear behind Arthur and knows nothing good is going to come of this."

"I remember Merlin was quite upset about that," Gwen mutters. "Why was that?"

"Merlin, is a creature of magic, the same as a dragon. So they are kin, Merlin may not have known that at the time, but he felt the creature pain as his own. He felt the balance in magic change."

"So if I was to go out and kill a dragon or any other type of creature of magic, Merlin would feel its pain?" Percival asks.

Taliesin nodes. "He would."

Elyan shivers. "I wouldn't want to be Merlin…. The unicorn why did it not run from Merlin. I have always been told they are shy animals."

"Merlin and the unicorn are kin, the unicorn could sense Merlin and wished to meet him." Taliesin explained. "Creatures of magic are drawn to each other. The griffin that went after Merlin in the wood, it should have killed him before Lancelot helped him. If Lancelot hadn't appeared Merlin would have lived, because creatures of magic do not kill each other, unless they have no other choice."

"Back in Camelot Arthur presents the horn of the unicorn to his father. But Gaius does not seem pleased and tells of a legend of misfortune will befall anyone who kills a unicorn, Merlin and Gaius both know there is truth within every legend and share a worried glance. Not long after Merlin and Gaius talk, Gaius tells Merlin that unicorns are rare and are not seen often. Not long after Merlin watches out the window as Arthur gives him a list of chores to do and tells him to find the rat that had made its home in his quarters. Suddenly a guard burst through the door and tells Arthur the king wants to see him right away."

Tristan sighs. "Let me guess this was when Camelot's famine started."

Gwen nodes. "How did you know?"

"We started smuggling not long after it happened. You see our crop died, we used to sell what we grew to pay our taxes. With all the food rotten we could not pay the taxes and were forced from our home." Isolde answers.

Percival nodes. "So how is it you know so much about swords?"

Tristan smiles slightly. "I was a noble man, but then I met Isolde. I was told I could not marry her because she was the daughter of a farmer. So we run away together."

Elyan smiles. "Finally a secret Merlin doesn't know."

Tristan shakes his head. "Merlin knows, I am sure of it. Me and Merlin have met before, at first I did not believe it was him. I just thought he was someone who looked like him, why did you think I helped him? I am an outlaw, I wouldn't help just anyone."

"How do you and Merlin know each other?" Leon asks.

"That is a story for another time." Isolde smiles.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Out in the fields all the crops had died and gone rotten. Uthur tells Arthur it is the same throughout the whole kingdom. Back in Camelot Merlin and Gaius are trying to work out what is causing the crops to die, they work out it is only killing plants that humans can eat. Merlin thinks it is magic, but Gaius informs him they cannot know for sure and they cannot tell the king until they know for sure. Arthur and Uthur check the gain supply but there is not much left, Uthur announces looters will be executed and no one is aloud out there homes after dark. Elsewhere Gwen is collecting water from the well as Merlin walks past. They two of them talk, before Merlin heads back towards the castle. Suddenly Gwen screams as only sand comes out the well. Arthur, Gaius and Uthur stand around the well and Gaius tells Uthur it might be sorcerer. Back in his room Merlin tries to turn the water back to sand but it is of no use, his power isn't strong enough."

"I thought Merlin was the most powerful warlock alive." Percival mutters.

"He is, but his powers are still not fully developed," Taliesin answers. "You could be the greatest swordsman ever, but when you first use your sword you are no better than any other man. Merlin at that stage had only just started to learn spells and explore the full power his magic had to offer. If you asked him to do that spell now, he would be able to do it."

"How great are Merlin's powers?" Leon asks.

"It is said there is no limit to what his powers can archive."

Elyan glances around. "How can he cope with knowing he has that much power?"

"He doesn't."

"What do you mean?" Gwen asks.

"Merlin has trouble dealing with the knowledge of what his powers can do. He is always scared that he will turn evil, he believes himself to be a monster even now. He can trust no one, not matter how much he wants to. If he trusts the wrong person, he could he killed. The only person in Camelot who knows of Merlin power is Gaius. He has one person he can turn to. You when you have a problem can talk to each other and help each other. Gaius cannot even help most of the time, he does not have the power too."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Later that night Arthur was giving orders to the guard, as he returns to the castle he sees Merlin walking across the court yard. Not long after that the two of them follow a hooded man into the catacombs below the city. He tells them that he is Anhora keeper of the unicorns, he tells Arthur if he passes the tests the curse will be lifted, if he fails the people will suffer. But Arthur doesn't believe him.

"The following morning Merlin tells Gaius about what Anhora said and that he believes it to be true. Knowing the only way they can break the curse is by Arthur passing the tests, Merlin must convince Arthur what Anhora said was true. Later that day Merlin tries to convince Arthur what Anhora said was true, but Arthur still doesn't believe him. And Arthur tells him he is a fool for believing a word a sorcerer has spoken and he should never trust a sorcerer."

"I'm sure Merlin loved being told that." Tristan mutters.

Gwen smiles sadly. "Even I have spoken badly of sorcerer while speaking with Merlin. Think how bad it must make him feel."

"But you cannot trust a word sorcerers say," Arthur growls. "Look at Merlin he has lied to us time and time again."

"He has lied about one thing Arthur, well one subject," Elyan replies. "He has told you the truth about everything else."

Percival and Leon node in agreement.

"But he still lied. How do we not know all of this is fake? Just so we trust Merlin and let magic back into the kingdom, so he can destroy us."

"Merlin does not need magic to be returned," Taliesin explains before anyone can answer. "Merlin has created a kingdom of his own, where all with or without magic are safe. Merlin is after all king."

"What?" Leon exclaims.

"Merlin is king of the druids and all those with magic who have not sided with Morgana have sworn alliance to Merlin, even those who have sided with her have turned their backs on her and joined Merlin…. Even before you knew about his magic he controlled an army of sorcerers who have enough power to take over every kingdom in this land in one day. Merlin is your most powerful ally, he does not need to gain your trust to destroy you, he doesn't even need to be in the same kingdom. Everything you have seen is true and everything you will see is true."

Arthur signs. "But you would say that, you have obviously sworn alliance to him."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Later that night Merlin sits on watch as Arthur and himself wait to see if they can catch Anhora. They follow a man into the grain store and find him stealing. Arthur lets him go and gives him a bag of grain, the man tells him this will bring its own rewards. The following day the sand chambers back into water. Later that day Merlin explains to Arthur that he has passed the first test, so the water has been returned. Merlin suggests that they seek Anhora out. While Merlin looks for some food for Arthur, Arthur is down in the court yard with Morgana. After Arthur leaves, Gwen appears with some food she had stolen from the kitchens."

Elyan looks at his sister. "Stealing Gwen? What would father say?"

Gwen half smiles. "It was the only way I could help the people."

Leon grins. "Quite brave, if you had been caught you would have been executed."

Percival nodes. "It seems since Merlin came to Camelot he has given everyone the strength to do what they believe is right, damn the consequences."

Isolde smiles. "He even gave that strength to Arthur. Before he meet Merlin, I'm sure he wouldn't have risked his life for a servant."

"Later that day Merlin convince Arthur to eat rat strew before they set out to try and find Anhora in the woods. In the wood Arthur fails his second test, when the two of them return to Camelot all the remaining grain has rotted. Later that day Uthur tells Arthur that they are to stop giving out the grain they have left, but Arthur tells him he will have to give that order himself. Not long after Arthur and Merlin stand watching the people in the court yard and Arthur tells him what his father palms to do."

"Why did you father do that?" Percival asks.

"He feared we would be attacked when other kingdoms learnt about how weak we were, he was saving the food for the army."

"Why not ask for other kingdoms for help? I mean you have many allies." Elyan asks.

"My father feared they would turn against him."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Knowing Arthur has lost all hope Merlin goes back out into the wood and finds Anhora and asks him to give Arthur a second chance. Anhora seeing how much Merlin cared agrees and tells him Arthur must travel to the labyrinth of Gedref. So Arthur sets out to the labyrinth and Merlin follows him. At the labyrinth Arthur passes the final test, by proving he was willing to sacrifice his life for Merlin and so the curse was lifted. When Arthur and Merlin return to Camelot all the crops have regrown, so Merlin and Arthur travel back to the forest once more and bury the unicorn's horn as a way of saying sorry for killing it. As they do so the unicorn returns to life."

"Merlin truly is quite something," Leon mutters. "I don't know many people who would go out of their way to find a sorcerer for the sake of a Pendragon."

Everyone glances at Arthur.

"It's not like Anhora would have killed him, they were both sorcerers!" Arthur growls. "This was probably a plan they came up with together."

"If that was so, why would they have let you stop it? Why would Merlin go out of his way to find a him? Who at the time had more skill in the use of magic and could have killed him." Gwen answers. "Just because Merlin didn't tell you the truth doesn't mean he is evil. He trusts you with his life."

"If Merlin is as evil as you fool yourself into believing he is, he would have destroyed this kingdom years ago." Elyan agrees.

"Do not speak to me like that," Arthur yells. "I am your king!"

"Now you are starting to sound like Uthur." Percival mutters.

Taliesin looks at Arthur. "You are looking for someone to blame, because the man who caused all this is no longer alive. Uthur made a great mistake when he turned against magic, but do not blame Merlin for lying to you. If he had told you, you only had to make one slip up and Uthur found out, he would be burnt at the stake. Merlin did not want you to choose between him and your father."

Arthur sighs. "But he lied to me."

"And if he hadn't he would be dead today, he would have died years ago. Merlin was waiting for the perfect time to tell you. He knew that the fate of all those with magic rested on that moment and if he told you at the wrong time all his work would be for nothing. Merlin chose to save Isolde and by doing so could have doomed all those with magic and have to live with fear for ever more. This is our way of trying to show you the truth in hope you will not make the same mistake as your father."

Hey thanks for the reviews, hope you like this chapter. I know Arthur seems a little evil in this one, but he's just found out his father and Merlin both lied to him about his mother and is looking for someone to blame aka Merlin (because he's the only one still alive, it's hard to blame a dead man.) So hopeful in the next couple of chapters Arthur will calm down a bit and understand why Merlin lied like he did,

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.