Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter fourteen: Le Morte d'arthur.
Arthur and the other watched as Merlin and Gwaine appeared in the cave, chatting away, while Gwaine played with a piece of paper. The two of them grinned and laughed, but no knew what they were saying, the shield Taliesin had used this time meant they could hear nothing being spoken on the other side. Arthur couldn't help but feel slightly jealous, even if he hadn't forgiven Merlin yet. Not long after Gaius and Taliesin appeared Merlin left not long after. Once Merlin was gone, the shield was removed and everyone moved back in to the centre of the cave. Gaius smiled as Gwen greeted him in a hug.
"How is Alice?" Isolde asked.
Gaius smiles. "She is fine, if Merlin had saved her only a couple second later, too much smoke would have entered her lungs and she wouldn't have survived."
"So from what we have seen, Merlin has a habit of saving people." Tristan mutters.
"Merlin would risk his life to help a stranger," Gaius mutters. "He is just one of those people. I have heard it said his kindness will be his downfall, I can't help but agree. His kindness knows no bounds."
Taliesin clears his throat. "We must get on with our next story, you still have much to see. Your friend Merlin is soon to be caught up in a war, the likes of which this realm has never seen before. He can not be derived between who he is fighting for, he must have your trust if he is to lead his people to victory on the plans of Camlann. The battle will start soon, Merlin and his people are all who stand between the golden age and a new age of darkness."
Everyone is slightly taken back by that dark speech, but they quickly get over it and take their seats. A screen appears and the adventure starts.
"In a time of myth and a land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rest on the shoulders of a young boy, his name…. Merlin."
Arthur, Merlin and a large group of knights make their way through the trees as they hunt.
"Merlin, spear." Arthur commands.
Merlin goes to pass him the spear, but it hits a tree and falls to the ground. Arthur quickly grabs it.
"Do you have any natural gifts, Merlin?" he asks annoyed.
"No," Merlin answers. "Let me think. I'm not naturally rude or insensitive."
"Just naturally irritating."
The group edge forward and a roar echo's through the trees. Everyone stops. Arthur turns and looks at Merlin and rolls his eyes.
"It's probably more scared of you, than you are of it." He sighs. As Arthur gives orders to the other knights, a mighty beast leaps through the trees. Everyone runs. As Merlin is running he trips, Arthur and a knight quickly rush to help him. Behind them the screams of the knight who saved Merlin echo through the woods.
"Well it looks like when Merlin is afraid we should all be afraid." Elyan mutters with a shiver.
Gwaine nodes. "That thing was a creature of nightmares."
Leon glances around the cave. "What was it?"
"A questing beast." Gaius answers. "One bite from such a creature is fatal."
"But I was bitten." Arthur mutters. "I'm still alive."
"Not all of us have friends who have the power over life and death." Tristan half smiles. "It wouldn't surprise me, if Merlin used the same spell he did for Isolde."
Back in Camelot Gaius explains to the king that the creature was a questing beast. Uthur orders Arthur to kill the creature and pays no heed to Gaius's warnings.
"This is no ordinary beast Merlin," Gaius warns, later back in his chamber as Merlin tests the balance of the sword in his hand.
"Don't worry."
"No, listen to me, you don't understand. Uthur may not respect the old religion, but it is very real. To face such a beast as this, you must understand where it came from." Gaius explains holding out a book.
"What do you mean?"
"At the heart of the old religion lies the magic of life and death itself. The questing beast carries that power. One bite you die. And there is no cure."
Arthur looks at Gaius. "But you found a cure."
Gaius shakes his head. "I did not, Merlin did. I can tell you no more than that. You must watch to truly understand.
That same night Morgana had a dream. Gwen quickly goes to her aid.
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The following morning Arthur prepares the knight and guard to ride out and kill the creature Merlin stands with him. Just before they are about to leave Morgana comes running down the steps and begs Arthur not to go telling him he will die if he does. Arthur orders Merlin to take her back inside. Merlin promises to keep Arthur safe.
Later in the wood, the large group approach a cave, after they find the questing beasts tracks. And so the group enter the cave and split up into groups leaving Arthur and Merlin on their own. They finally come out in a cavern full of bones, off to one side is a hissing noise.
"What is it?" Merlin asks.
"Shhhh!" Arthur orders.
Behind them is a roar and the two of them spin round. Whilst their backs are turned the questing beast creeps out of the shadows, the two of them turn round and come face to face with the creature. Arthur shoves Merlin back and swings his sword at the creature but gets hit and thrown backwards onto the ground. Merlin yells and waves his torch to get the creature attention, before using magic and sending the sword into the creature's neck. As the creature falls dead Merlin rushes over to Arthur.
"It didn't bite you," Merlin mutters. "It didn't." he pulls his hand away from Arthur's shoulder to find it covered in blood. "Arthur!" Merlin yells. "Somebody help me."
Gwen grips Arthur's hand. "That looked painful." She mutters.
Arthur half smiles. "It was."
Gwaine glances round. "Do you think Merlin knocks out Arthur on purpose? I know you are always saying he gets knocked out in battle. It would be Merlin's perfect chance to use magic."
Leon shakes his head. "Merlin uses magic when we are all awake, he just hides."
Elyan glances at the dead questing beast. "A nice clean kill though, that creature wasn't in pain for long."
Percival nodes. "Do you think there is anything Merlin can't kill?"
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Back in Camelot, Merlin tries to use magic to cure Arthur but nothing he tries works. Soon after the king enters.
"See Arthur," Gwen mutters. "He tried to save you because you are his friend."
Arthur glances at the screen. "He still lied to me."
Uthur hurries to his son's side, luckily not noticing the spell book Merlin had left lying on the table. The king half crying carries Arthur from Gaius's chamber, he makes it half way across the court yard before he brakes down in tears and some guards rush forward to help. Merlin and Morgana both watch as Arthur is carried away.
"Your father truly loved you Arthur, more than anything else in the world." Gaius mutters, watching his old friend sadly. "He would have given anything up to save you."
Arthur looks at Gaius. "Then why did he lie about my mother?"
"He could not live with the fact you might have hated him," Gaius answers. "Look what you did when you found out."
Arthur looks at the ground. "I would have killed him, if it wasn't for Merlin stopping me."
Merlin knows he has to do something. So he goes to see the great dragon, who just happens to be watching for him.
"I have failed Arthur," Merlin explains. "Failed in my destiny."
"And yet you would not be here if that were true."
"He was bitten by the questing beast, he's going to die."
"Does he still breathe?" The great dragon asks.
"Only just." Merlin answers.
"Then there is still time to heal him."
"I've tried," Merlin replies. "I cannot save him."
"You do not know how to save him," The great dragon answers.
"You can tell me how?"
"Perhaps," the great dragon answers. "It will not be easy."
"I will do anything." Merlin answers.
"Anything?"
"Please, just tell me what I have to do." Merlin begs.
"Very well," The great dragon answers. "The questing beast is a creature conjured by the powers of the old religion. You must use the same ancient magic to save him."
"The old religion died out centuries ago."
"The old religion is the magic of the earth itself. It is the séance that binds all things together. It will last long beyond the time of men."
"But how can that help me save Arthur?"
"You must find those who still serve it. Those who hold dominion over life and death."
"Where?"
"Go to the place men call the isle of the blessed. Where the power of the ancients can still be felt. There you will discover Arthur's salvation."
"Thank you." Merlin mutters and turns to leave.
"And Merlin," the great dragon calls after him. "The young Pendragon must live, no matter what the cost."
Merlin just nodes and leaves.
"Merlin had been to the isle of the blessed before." Percival mutters. "Does he not know how dangerous that is, even for those with magic the place is feared."
Gaius shakes his head. "Merlin had to save Arthur, he was prepared to do whatever it took to save him."
"Merlin truly is brave." Elyan mutters.
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Merlin arrives back at Gaius's quarters and sets about packing. Gains begs Merlin not to go, but Merlin knows he has to, even if it means giving up his life in return for Arthur's. Arthur's condition is getting worse. The following morning Merlin prepares to leave when Gaius come up to him.
"Here," he states giving Merlin a map. "You'll need a map. And I'm going to give you this."
Merlin takes it and unwraps it.
"My mother gave it to me," Gaius explains. "It's a rabbit's foot."
"To keep you safe."
"It is said to protect you from evil spirits." Gaius smiles slightly. "Its rubbish I don't believe in superstition. I don't know why I gave it to you." He says reaching for the foot.
"No," Merlin exclaims, pulling it out of Gaius reach. "I want it…. Thank you." He mutter putting it in his pocket. "You've got to keep Arthur alive until I get back," Merlin explains as he pulls himself into the saddle of his of his horse, he then quickly leaves the city and Gaius watches him go. Merlin rides through the forest, on his way to the isle of the blessed.
Gaius smiles slightly. "My boy." He whispered.
Gwen glances at Gaius. "He really is like a son to you, isn't he?"
Gaius nodes. "I had nothing to live for until I meet Merlin. He means the world to me and I would do anything to keep him safe."
Gwaine nodes. "Merlin sees you as a father. When the two of you fall out on the rare occasions, Merlin isn't quite the same."
Percival nodes. "He values you opinion above all others."
Back in Camelot Uthur sits at his son's side, as Arthur's condition gets worse. Elsewhere Merlin is drawing closer to the isle of the blessed.
"You must travel to the place men call the isle of the blessed, beyond the white mountain and through the valley of the fallen kings. To the north of the great seas of Marendor, you will find a lake." The great dragons voice echoes
The scene changes back to Arthur where Gwen is present. She tells him he has to live and grips his hand. Outside the court yard is full of people holding candles. Uthur stands at a window watching, while Gaius speaks to him.
Everyone glances at Arthur and Gwen, who were hugging.
"So that's where the romance began." Gwaine mutters. "I always did wounded how it started."
Arthur smiles at Gwen. "I knew you said that. You're almost as bad as Merlin at lying, most of the time."
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Merlin reaches the shore of the lake, where there is a small boat waiting. He quickly dismounts and uses a spell to get the boat moving. As the boat makes its way through the city, in finally stops at some steps and Merlin quickly makes his way up them. It brings him out in a court yard with an altar in the middle surrounded by standing stones. Merlin steps into the circle of standing stones.
"Hello?" He calls.
"Hello Merlin." A voice behind him greets.
Merlin spins round to find Nimueh standing next to the altar. The two of them stare at each other for a moment.
"You!" Merlin almost growls.
"Do you know who I am?" Nimueh asks.
"Nimueh." Merlin answers. "You can't be who the dragon meant."
"And why is that?"
"You tried to kill me." Merlin answers.
"Before I understood your importance." Nimueh smirks.
"And Arthur."
"Arthur was never destined to die at my hand," Nimueh answers. "And now it seems I will be his salvation."
"So you know what I have come to ask?"
"Yes."
"Will you do it?"
"I do not have the power to mirror life and get nothing in return."
"I know a price will be asked."
"To save a life a life must be given. The balance of the world must be restored."
"I willingly give my life for Arthur's." Merlin answers.
"How brave you are Merlin." Nimueh smirks. "If only it were that simple."
"What do you mean?" Merlin asks.
"Once you enter this barging, it cannot be undone."
"Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a hundred of mine."
"The cup of life," Nimueh explains summoning it from thin air. "Blessed by centres of power sorcerers. So it containers the very secrets of life itself. Of Arthur drinks water from the cup, he will live."
Merlin walks forward and takes the cup from Nimueh. Who then summons a storm, as the rain falls it fills the cup with water. Nimueh then takes the cup and pours the water in to a flask.
"The barging is stuck." Nimueh smirks as she hands him the flask. "I hope it pleases you."
Merlin quickly turns and leaves.
"What an idiot!" Arthur exclaims. "When I next see that idiot we are going to have a really long talk about him sacrificing his life for me. My life is not worth a hundred of his. He is such an idiot!"
Gwaine smiles. "Since when does Merlin listen to what you tell him?"
Arthur glares at Gwaine. "I'll make it against the law for him to save my life then."
"He's been breaking the law every time he saved your life so far," Percival points out. "I don't think it will make much of a difference."
Leon smiles. "Plus Merlin is still alive, so we know he didn't die."
"That's not the point." Arthur answers.
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Back in Camelot Merlin returns, he goes straight to Gaius. Who demands to know what price Merlin paid in return for Arthur's life, but Merlin refuses to answer. They quickly take the water to Arthur and force him to drink it. Uthur appears soon after and Gaius lies and tells him he found an old cure in one of his many books. Once Gaius and Merlin leave Uthur stays with Arthur.
As Merlin and Gaius leave the royal wing of the castle, Morgana suddenly pulls Merlin into an alcove and warms him of her dream. Later that night Arthur wakes up and is greeted by his father, while Gaius watches on from the shadows. Back in Gaius chamber Merlin waits for news, Gaius informs him that the prince lives. But he then seems to realise this means he's going to die.
Gwen turns to Gaius. "You suspected that Merlin traded his own life, didn't you?"
Gaius nodes. "I did."
"Merlin really is the most selfless person I know." Elyan mutters.
Elsewhere in the castle, Gwen seems pleased that Arthur has recovered. Arthur remembers some of the things Gwen told him and teases her about it.
"Young love." Elyan teases his sister. "So sweet."
Merlin sits in his room, believing that night would be his last. Outside a mighty storm rages. A haggard, hooded figure makes their way through the gates. And up to Gaius's chamber, where they collapse to the floor. Elsewhere Morgana wakes up from another nightmare. The following morning Merlin wakes up, to find Gaius kneeling over someone near the door. Merlin quickly makes his way over, to find the person is his mother. He promises her he will find a way to heal her.
"Nimueh is evil." Isolde mutters. "Merlin did not bargain his mother's life."
Tristan glances at Gaius. "The fates must have decided Merlin, must live no matter what the cost."
"I remember that, Merlin was so upset, yet so determined to save his mother," Gwen mutters, turning to Gaius. "What happened you and Merlin disappeared for a couple of days. When you got back Hunith was perfectly healed."
Gaius smiles. "Truth be told I don't know for sure, but you'll find out soon enough."
So Merlin goes and sees the great dragon. The two of them have an argument and Merlin is forced to use his magic to save himself from the dragon's flames. Merlin promises he will never see the dragon again.
"That was a bit evil of Merlin to say, don't you think?" Percival asks. "I'll make sure you never see the light again."
Leon shakes his head. "When the dragon escaped, it killed hundreds of people. It also tricked Merlin into giving his mother's life, wouldn't you be mad if someone did that to you?"
"Is it true?" Elyan asks. "Merlin's mother is the only family he has?"
"Yes and no." Gaius answers. "I am Merlin's uncle, but when Merlin was a child, I never meet him, I was never there for him. It was just him and his mother. Merlin meet his father for a couple of days before he died. But at the time Merlin didn't know who his father was or of he was even alive."
Gwaine looks at Gaius. "Did the dragon know who Merlin's father was? I mean they are kin in more ways than one."
"I see Merlin told you about his father then," Gaius mutters. "I don't believe the dragon did. I think the great dragon thought the connection he felt with Merlin was only the fact they were both creatures of the old religion, not what you are talking about."
"What are you talking about?" Arthur asks.
"That is a story another time." Gaius answers. "You will find out soon enough, though."
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After Merlin returns to Gaius quarters he tells Gaius he has to save her. He has to go back to the isles and save his mother's life. If he could not save her his powers would mean nothing. Gaius tells him not to, he is young. But Merlin tells him he had to do this. So Merlin goes to say goodbye to Arthur.
Arthur is pouring himself a cup of water, when Merlin walks in.
"Arrr," Arthur mutters looking up. "Merlin."
"How are you?"
"Good."
"I'm pleased."
"Yes, I owe it all to Gaius."
"I need to talk to you."
"You still haven't got it yet, have you? I decide when we need to talk."
"Not today." Merlin answers.
"I sometimes wonder if you know who I am."
"Oh, I know who you are." Merlin answers.
"Good." Arthur mutters.
"You're a part…. And a royal one."
"Are you ever going to change, Merlin?"
"No you'd get bored." Merlin answers with a slight smile. "Just promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a boot licker."
"If this is you trying to leave your job….."
"No," Merlin cuts in. "I'm happy to be your servant…. Until the day I die."
"Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times…." Arthur just shakes his head.
"Well, I know you. You are a great warrior. One day you will be a great king."
"That's very kind of you."
"But you must learn to listen as well as you fight."
"Any other pointers?" Arthur asks.
"No, that's it…. Just…. Don't be a prat."
Everyone just turns to look at Arthur.
"How could you not work out something was wrong from that?" Leon asks.
"Yeah," Gwaine adds. "He quite clearly said he was about to die."
Arthur shakes his head. "I don't know, I thought something was wrong. But what could I do? I mean it wasn't like he looked like he was about to drop dead."
Elyan raises an eyebrow. "No wonder you never worked out he had magic, I mean if you couldn't even work out he was saying good bye, there wasn't much hope."
Arthur glares at him. "You never worked out he had magic."
"I'm not his best friend."
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Merlin goes to see his mother to find Gwen waiting with her. She explains Gaius has gone to get some supplies and asked her to wait with his mother. Merlin sits down beside his mother and the two of them talk. He gives his mother the lucky rabbit's foot. The following morning Merlin finds a note from Gaius, explaining he has gone to the isle of the blessed to save his mother. Merlin sets out straight away, but Gaius is much further ahead than Merlin. As Merlin sets out, Morgana watches him go. At the isle, Gaius asks to trade places with Hunith and Nimueh agrees.
"You really do love him." Gwen mutters.
"I do," Gaius answers. "But I fear there are things I have done which Merlin will never forgive me for."
Elyan looks at Gaius. "What do you mean?"
Gaius just shakes his head. "You'll see."
Merlin arrives at the isle but it is too late.
"Stop!" Merlin yells.
"Back again, warlock." Nimueh smirks walking towards him.
"What have you done?"
"Your mother is safe," Nimueh answers. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Have you killed him?"
"It was his wish."
"I bargained my life for Arthur's. Not my mothers. Not Gaius's."
"The old religion does not care who lives and who dies. Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life a life must be taken. Gaius knew this."
"It is not the old religion that has done this, it is you."
"Come now," Nimueh smirks. "We are go valuable to each other to be enemies."
"No," Merlin yells. "I share nothing with you."
"With my help Arthur will become king."
"I will make Arthur king." Merlin answers. "But you will never see that day."
Merlin throws a stream of fire at her, but she defects it. She throws a fire ball back at Merlin, who drives out the way. It crashes in to the wall behind him and sends prices of wall flying. As Merlin gets to his feet, Nimueh creates a second fire ball.
"You too are a creature of the old religion, you should join me."
"You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic…. Never." Merlin answers.
"So be it." Nimueh smirks.
Nimueh throws the second fire ball and it hits Merlin in the chest, sending him backwards into the ground. Merlin groans in pain and Nimueh walks forward.
"Pity," she mutters. "Together we could have ruled the world."
As she walks away, Merlin's eyes snap open and he gets to his feet. "You should not have killed by friend." He mutters darkly.
Nimueh turns around and Merlin throws his hand skyward. The sky clouds over and it starts to rain lightning flashes and Nimueh looks up. Merlin moves his hand so he is pointing at Nimueh and she is struck by lightning and blasted into many pieces. Merlin runs over to Gaius and falls to the ground beside him.
"Gaius," Merlin cries. "Gaius….. No," Merlin screams at the sky. "No!"
He cries into Gaius shoulder.
"Merlin?" Gaius mutters weakly. "Merlin?"
"Gaius? Gaius!" Merlin grins. "Gaius! You're alive!" he pulls Gaius into a hug and then sits back.
"What did you do?" Gaius asks.
"Nimueh's dead." Merlin answers. "The balance of the world has been restored."
"You amaze me," Gaius mutters. "You mastered the power over life and death it's self…. We'll make a great warlock of you yet."
"So you believe in me now?" Merlin asks.
"Well, I would…. If, if you could…. Could stop this blasted rain."
The two of them sit there laughing. "Merlin! No!" the dragons voice echo's from the caves below Camelot. As Morgana wakes up from another dream.
"Merlin mastered the power over life and death pretty quickly." Tristan mutters.
Gaius nodes. "He truly is one of a kind."
Arthur glances at Gaius. "How did he survive that fire ball? We all saw what it did to the wall."
Gaius shrugs. "I guess his magic protected him. But the burn I treated when we got back to Camelot was quite bad."
Gwaine looks at the screen. "I have seen the scars he has. How could he keep them all hidden from us. I mean many he said he got whilst out on quests with us. How did we not notice him getting injured."
"Merlin is good at hiding his pain," Gaius answers. "Some of the injuries he has, no human would survive. So he keeps it hidden."
Gwen nodes. "Well then," she said turning on Arthur and the knights. "Next time you are all out on a quest with Merlin, you check him for injuries too."
Everyone quickly nodes and agrees.
Hey, hope you liked that chapter. So that is series one complete, so on to series two. Does anyone know the name of Gwaine's mother?
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997