Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter eighteen: The curse of Cornelius Sigan and the once and future queen.

It was only a couple of hours past dawn when Arthur, Gwen, Tristan, Isolde, Gaius, Gwaine, Percival, Elyan and Leon found themselves back in the crystal cave. Taliesin was there waiting for them, the crystals glowing brightly around him and he greeted them with a small smile.

Arthur glances round. "I'm sure the crystals were not glowing this much yesterday."

"They were not, Arthur Pendragon."

"Why?"

"Because they did not have as much power yesterday. Last night while you were away Merlin Emrys came to the caves, he was sent here to unlock the true power of his magic and by doing so unleashed the true power of earth magic. He has returned magic to the land and the land will once again live. The forests will grow taller and the animals will be stronger and live longer. Magic once again flows through the earth like blood through your body. Merlin Emrys has undone all the work Uthur had done to drive the magic from the earth itself, he has made the land rich with magic and life once more."

Gaius smiles. "I thought I felt a shift in power last night, but I thought it may have been my mind playing tricks."

Taliesin smiles. "All those with magic felt it. Every living thing would have felt it, whether they knew what it was or not is a different matter."

"So Merlin managed to undo all Uthur's years of work, in one night?" Leon asks.

Taliesin nodes. "He did and not only in this kingdom, all the kingdoms in the land are now rich with magic once more. Now I do believe it is time we see some more of Merlin's adventures. Only this time it will be different, I can let you watch all of Merlin's adventures. But I no longer have the power to stop and start them when you wish to speak, so please save speaking until the end."

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In a time of myth and a land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy, his name…. Merlin.

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"Oh good one princess," Gwaine mutters. "Merlin couldn't have told them to stop, like he said, they were working under the kings orders."

Arthur glares at Gwaine. "I know that, but I really wanted to sleep."

"What were they mining for?" Elyan asks.

"Uthur believed there were riches to be found under the castle." Gaius answers.

"Is it just me or does Merlin have no sense of fear?" Leon ask. "I mean all the miners were running out of the mine, Merlin just watched them before going to see what they were running from."

"It's not like much could have hurt him," Percival answers. "He was on his own, he wouldn't have to worry about anyone seeing him, if something attacked him and he used magic to defend himself."

"In the tomb," Isolde asks. "Could he hear the whispers? Was that why he was drawn to that stone."

Gaius shakes his head. "Merlin could feel the stones power, but at the time he didn't know what it was."

Tristan frowns. "That man who died, was that poison?"

Taliesin shakes his head. "No, that was dark magic. The arrows were covered in dark magic."

Gwen glances at Gaius. "When Merlin saved your life, he didn't use a spell. I wouldn't have said that was instinctive."

"Merlin can do elemental based spells without the need of speaking. That was an elemental based spell." Gaius answers.

"Good thing the king didn't walk in at that moment, then." Elyan mutters. "I think he would have burnt both you and Merlin at the stake."

Gaius smiles sadly. "Merlin and I both know how it feels to nearly be burnt at the stake, it is not a fate I would wish on anyone."

"Merlin was nearly burnt at the stake?" Gwen asks, shocked.

"Yes," Gaius answers. "He was. He made it all the way out into the court yard before escaping."

Arthur shakes his head. "That's not possible, I would remember that."

"You do," Gaius answers. "You were the one who lead him to be burnt."

"I what!?" Arthur exclaimed.

Gaius smiles. "You will find out about it soon enough."

Gwaine suddenly laughed. "The king made you guard it."

"What's so funny about that?" Arthur demands.

"We all knew someone was going to brake in from the moment the king said that." Gwaine answers with a grin.

"What do you mean, I was more than capable."

"You should have listened to Merlin then." Gwaine answers.

"I wouldn't have had to worry about that, if our worker knew how to keep a secret." Arthur grows. "I'm surprised we didn't have more people trying to brake in."

Leon nodes. "We need to work on that, I mean everyone escapes from the dungeons. Merlin has more than once, I know for sure."

"Well it's not hard to when you have magic." Percival points out.

Leon nodes. "I mean people without magic. I mean Elyan escaped."

"Yeah I did, but Merlin helped me." Elyan answers.

Gwaine grins. "It appears Merlin has been helping people escape from the dungeons. You would have thought braking one law everyday for having magic would be enough, but no."

Arthur glares at Gwaine. "Merlin doesn't help everyone escape."

"He has helped many though," Gaius answers. "I don't think you'll see many of the people Merlin helped escape, but almost ever druid who was caught by bounty hunters and bought to Camelot, Merlin helped escape. The same with sorcerers. Those who used magic to kill and did so on purpose he let die for their crimes, like any normal person would... Actually you will see the first person he helped escape…. A druid girl. I think he kept saving people after that, to try and make up for the fact he couldn't save her. Truth be told there were many he could not save and felt guilty for not saving them, but he tried his best and saved many lives."

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"Merlin could use that spell when we go hunting." Gwaine grins. "It would save a lot of time."

Elyan looks at Gwaine. "Merlin hates hunting, remember. He would only use that spell if our lives were in danger."

Leon smiles slightly. "I can't believe Arthur really thought it was Cedric who throw the spear."

Percival looks at Gaius. "Sigan? Why was his name only known in Camelot if he was feared so much?"

Gaius sighs. "As you know Sigan swore to destroy Camelot. So it was only Camelot that needed to fear him. I must say I am surprised Gwen and Elyan have not heard that story."

Gwen smiles slightly. "Our father did not believe any good would come of being told such stories."

Elyan nodes. "Our father hated what happened to those accused of sorcerer, so though it best we knew as little as possible. You only had to say the wrong thing to someone and they would tell the king you had magic or had been consulting with sorcerers."

"I was told the stories," Leon speaks up. "But I never believed them. If someone told me he was buried under Camelot, I would never have believed them. I'm just glad Merlin didn't give up on us, he looked more than ready to a couple of times."

Gaius nodes. "Merlin is under a lot of pressure. Unlike Arthur, Merlin has no help…. Well very little help when he needs it the most. Merlin protects this whole land, for he alone is the person who is going to help Arthur create Albion and a time of peace. If Merlin failed it would result in the deaths of more people than you could count."

Gwen glances up, with a worried expression. "That tomb is still under Camelot, what is a sorcerer brakes in and takes the soul. They would then destroy Camelot."

Gaius smiles. "Merlin is clever Gwen. After the tomb was sealed Merlin cast a ward around the tomb only someone with great power could break in and Merlin would know about it. Merlin powers have increased since he last faced Sigan, he could now destroy Sigan's soul forever."

"Did Sigan's magic really help build Camelot?" Tristan asks suddenly.

"I believe it is possible," Gaius answers. "But you would have to ask Merlin. He would know, even if he didn't he would be able to find out."

Isolde nodes. "You said Sigan could turn day into night, can Merlin do that."

"I have no doubt," Gaius answers. "He can stop and slow time without a word, he can change the weather with the smallest of movements. Turning day in to night wouldn't pose much of a challenge."

"When you warned my father," Arthur speaks. "Why is it he refused to believe what you said?"

"Uthur believed he had conquered the old religion and that its laws did not affect him. But magic is the life force of the earth itself and its warning should not be taken lightly."

"Morgana nightmares," Gwen asks. "What do you think the king would have done if he found out?"

Gaius sighs. "I couldn't possibly say, he loved Morgana more than anything. He would not have killed her, that I am sure of. But no good would have come from it, it most certainly would not have helped those with magic."

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"I had always wondered where the insult 'clot pole' had come from." Gwaine grinned.

"Just another one of his made up insults." Arthur sighed.

"But we must congratulate Merlin," Gwaine grins. "Because it suits you perfectly."

"Merlin really does hold what you say above all others." Isolde mutters, glancing at Gaius.

Gaius smiles. "For some reason Merlin believes I have the answer to everything. At times Merlin does get depressed, he is under so much pressure. I have watched him struggle and fight against everything thrown his way and no one thanks him. He is like a son to me and I would never stand by and watch him destroy himself, it is my job to stop him from falling into the darkness that threatens to consume him."

Arthur turns to Gaius. "So magic does corrupt!"

"No," Gaius almost yelled. "That is not the darkness I speak of. Merlin has often lost faith…. And has caused himself harm. He is only one man…. One man who cannot hide from the many things that would have knights running."

Gwen lets the tears slide down her checks. "Poor Merlin." She whispers.

"I bet that hurt your pride, Arthur?" Gwaine questions trying to lighten the mood. "I mean having you keys stolen, while they were right next to you. Must've hurt your pride."

"Shut up, Gwaine." Arthur snaps.

Tristan clears his throat. "Merlin was woken by the raven call, why was that?"

"Merlin was awoken by it, because it was Sigan's way of showing Camelot he had returned. All those with magic would have heard the call. I also heard it, but the call was in my dreams not in reality like Merlin heard it."

"Merlin really does spend a lot of time in the dungeons." Gwen sighs.

Gaius chuckles.

"What?" Gwen asks.

"Merlin is always thrown in the dungeons for every reason apart from the one he should be there for. I can only recall few times he was thrown in the dungeons for sorcerer and one of those times no one knew it was Merlin in the cell; the time he was nearly burnt."

Elyan laughs. "If you think about it, we should have worked out Merlin had magic ages ago. I mean I know no one who has been accused of sorcerer as many times as Merlin has. He even told the king he had magic."

Everyone smiles.

"Merlin really does know how to keep himself safe." Leon mutters. "From what I have seen Merlin is clever, and in no way clumsy. He knows more about everything that's going on in the castle, than I would ever be able to know. He always seems one step ahead of everyone else."

Gaius smiles. "Merlin always is one step ahead. How do you think he knows who is the traitor before you even suspect it. When Merlin told you he only thought your uncle betrayed you, Arthur, he lied. Merlin knew pretty much from the start. He knew Morgana meant harm to the kingdom before Morgana even was even kidnapped all those years ago. Merlin has to be one step ahead of everyone else, if he isn't people die."

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"That spell," Tristan asks. "Could Merlin do something like that?" As the statues on the castle walls come alive.

Gaius nodes. "He could, whether he would want to is a different matter."

"It must have been hard for Merlin just stuck in the dungeons, while the castle fell to pieces around him." Isolde mutters.

"Merlin really does know how to escape in style." Gwaine mutters.

Percival laughs. "He couldn't have made that more obvious if he tried."

"Saved by a girl twice, sire." Elyan grins. "I believe Merlin has been saved by a girl less times than that. I think Gwen has only saved him once."

"Shut up." Arthur growls.

"So Merlin was in the same room as the whole royal family, while he should have been locked in the dungeons. Talk about taking a risk." Leon mutters.

"Merlin really didn't like that dragon, did he?" Gwaine grins.

"The dragon did trick him into sacrificing his mother, lucky Nimueh was the one who was died." Percival answers.

Arthur grins. "I killed that dragon."

Gwaine snorts and Gaius tries to keep from raising an eyebrow.

Arthur glares at Gwaine. "You think Merlin killed it?"

Gwaine shakes his head. "No, no…. You believe what you want to believe. I take it you know what is true, Gaius?"

"Indeed I do." Gaius answers. "Indeed I do."

Arthur just glares at them. "Merlin may have promised to free the dragon, but even I know he wasn't stupid enough to do it."

"He did promise." Leon mutters.

Arthur nodes. "The chains holding the dragon could not be broken by magic. Merlin would have had no way of freeing him."

"Well let's not forget Merlin did save you." Gwen smiles. "And he also defeated Sigan."

Elyan nodes. "For a moment there I really did believe Sigan had possessed Merlin."

Gaius smiles weakly. "Think how I felt when he appeared out the smoke like that. Merlin can truly appear evil when he wants to."

Percival nodes. "I almost thought Merlin was going to join Sigan for a moment."

Gwen nodes. "He did seem to consider it."

Gaius shakes his head. "Merlin has never wanted power. All he has ever wanted is freedom. The freedom to be who he really is."

"Merlin defeated Sigan," Tristan growls. "That act alone saved Camelot. I think Merlin and his kind should be granted their freedom."

Arthur nodes slightly. "Just a matter of convincing the council without them all yelling I've been enchanted."

"Clot pole." Gaius, Gwaine and Gwen all mutter at the same time.

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In a time of myth and a land of magic the destiny of a grate kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy, his name…. Merlin.

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"Merlin really does have his work cut out, having to save you all the time." Gwaine mutters. "The most feared assassin in all the land was out to kill you."

Leon nodes. "Merlin really is one of a kind."

"To think Arthur would be dead a hundred times over if it wasn't for Merlin."

"And what thanks does he get?" Percival asks.

Arthur sighs. "I know."

Tristan glares at Arthur. "I would start planning what you are going to say to the council when you get back. Merlin have proved beyond doubt that magic is not evil."

Gwen nodes. "Merlin has risked his life every day, just to make sure we are all save."

"He saved my life, knowing he would be sentenced to death for doing it." Isolde agrees.

Gaius smiles. "Merlin would be pleased to know you all support him."

Gwaine grins at Leon. "You could have beaten Arthur."

Leon nodes. "He was crown prince I could not afford to injure him."

"And considering the mood Arthur was in afterwards." Elyan mutters. "I think you were better off winning."

Gwen grins. "I like how it was Merlin who gave him the idea to enter the tournament under a different name. Does Merlin come up with all of the plans?" She teases Arthur.

Arthur just looks away as Gwaine laughs.

"We all know Merlin is the brains beside the operation, even if we don't know it." Percival mutters.

Elyan nodes. "Even Merlin could have come up with a better beast…. Knowing Merlin he probably would have described an actual beast. He must know a lot about magic creature. He seems to fight a lot of them."

Arthur rolls his eyes. "I had to come up with it on the spot. I didn't have time to think."

"Yeah, if you had it would probably cause your head to explode." Gwaine grins.

"You're as bad as Merlin." Arthur sighs.

Gwaine grins. "I do try, princess."

Gwen looks at Arthur. "You say you want people to treat you like a normal person, yet you are too stuck up to carry a bag."

Arthur looks at Gwen. "Its Merlin's job to carry my stuff."

"Normal people don't have servant," Gwen replies. "Don't you think Merlin should have a break every now and again?"

"Well," Leon quickly cut in. "For once I am glad Arthur stayed in Camelot. He would have been killed if he hadn't."

"I can't help but feel insulted, though." Elyan mutters. "Merlin's opinion on how knights act…. Well I just hope I'm not like that."

Percival laughs. "Even though Arthur told him to act with honour and nobility, he still turned out arrogant and cocky."

"Just like the princess then." Gwaine grins.

Isolde glares at Arthur. "You didn't even ask if that was Gwen's bed, you just took it. You really need to work on your manners."

Arthur looks at Gwen. "I'm truly sorry about that Guinevere."

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Leon shakes his head. "We really do seem to have a large problem with traitors."

Elyan nodes. "Lucky the ones who do real damage Merlin seems to be able to stop. I have no doubt Merlin has stopped many of Morgana's plans."

Gwen smiles. "Merlin is always one step ahead."

"I can see how Merlin could keep his magic a secret so well," Tristan mutters. "You and that farmer looked completely different. I mean Arthur is wider and the farmer was taller and no one noticed."

"Are you calling me fat?" Arthur demands.

"He wouldn't dream of it princess…. After all that is Merlin's job." Gwaine smirks.

Tristan raises an eyebrow. "Merlin calls Arthur 'fat'?"

"Yeah," Gwen smiles. "It's just one of the many insults Merlin has."

"Why does everyone agree with Merlin?" Arthur demands.

"Because Merlin is right, sire." Gaius smiles slightly.

Arthur stares at Gaius in disbelief, while Gwaine cheers.

Isolde glances at Gaius. "Nothing gets past you, does it?"

"Merlin and I have lived together for years now. It is not often he gets past me, but I will admit he is good at sneaking out at night. I am a light sleeper and I am woken by the smallest of noises, Merlin can be silent when he wants to. It quite alarming really, he would make a good assassin if he liked killing people."

Arthur laughs. "Merlin doesn't even know how to fight."

"Then you have never seen him fight with a long knife or short staff, I take it." Gaius smiles.

Arthur looks at Gaius. "He can barely lift a sword."

"Merlin can fight well," Gaius answers. "Long knives are what he fights best with and he learnt to fight with his Sidhe staff. Merlin is also left handed, you always made him train with his right. Which I must thank you for, his skills with his right hand have got much better."

Arthur stares at Gaius. "You're being serious?"

"Yes, Merlin has some skills in combat. He may not be the best, but he can hold his own." Gaius answers.

"And so it seems Arthur can be wise at times." Elyan grins. "You really didn't like the special treatment the knights gave you, did you?"

Arthur sighs. "When you are in battle people do not care about your title, all they care about is killing you. If I was training, but everyone was letting me win because I was the prince, in battle my skills wouldn't be good enough to keep me alive. I need to be able to train in a way that improves my skill, not just make me look the best because of my title."

Percival nodes. "Well good thing we don't take I easy on you then."

"That was quite a speech from Merlin, though." Gwen mutters.

Gaius nodes. "Almost as good as the 'Go do this, Merlin. Go do that Merlin. Go kill the griffin, Merlin.' Speech."

Gwaine laughs. "Merlin says the funniest things sometimes…. So Arthur how did it feel to be told off my Gwen?"

Leon suddenly starts laughing. "I still can't believe you didn't know what to do with the chicken, even I know how to cook."

Gwaine grins. "If only Merlin had seen how you were looking at the chicken, you would never have lived it down."

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Gaius sighs. "Sometimes I fail to understand how much pressure Merlin is really under."

Isolde smiles. "It must be hard for both of you."

Gaius smiles slightly. "I would die for Merlin, as I know many others would. But even I have betrayed Merlin's trust more than once. I fear Merlin will be for ever alone."

Everyone is silent for a while, before Elyan smiles.

"You couldn't even sleep on the floor for one night?" He asks.

Arthur glares at him. "Gwen was right I had to be well rested."

Percival rolls his eyes. "And yet you sleep on the floor when we go out on quests."

"That's different."

"Of course it is." Gwaine rolls his eyes.

Tristan smirks. "Well we can see where the romance between Arthur and Gwen started."

Gwen smiles. "At least he wore the token I gave him."

"It's just your luck though, isn't it Arthur? To be up against the assassin. Good thing Merlin saw the spike in his lance." Leon mutters.

"You're still a fool though," Gaius mutters. "You would risk your life to protect your pride. Did you learn nothing when you killed the unicorn?"

"And you proved nothing." Tristan mutters. "Without Merlin's help you would have been dead."

Arthur rolls his eyes. "This seems to becoming a habit with Merlin, whenever I go out to prove myself, he always seems to help."

"Hey," Gwaine mutters. "I have helped too."

Arthur glares at him. "You promised never to speak of that."

Gwaine shrugs. "I don't see how it's going to matter, we going to end up seeing it I bet."

Arthur just puts his head in his hands.

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Hey, hope you liked that. Leave a review. I'm thinking about returning Freya in the story, I have read a lot of books on king Arthur and the knights and in most of them Freya can leave the lake. Would anyone be against the idea of Freya returning?

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.