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?

42. Chapter 41

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter forty-one: The coming of Arthur part one and part two.

Arthur sat down beside Gaius. "Why did Merlin try and save Uthur? That day he knew what would happen if he failed, so why did he do it?"

Gaius glances at Arthur. "Merlin knew how much your father meant to you. He knew you would be distraught, he tried to spare you the pain."

Arthur nodes. "But he knew if he couldn't save Uthur, he would only enforce the distrust I had in magic…. The great dragon even told him: That for me to see my father die at the hands of magic, would threaten the future of Albion."

"Merlin believed he could save Uthur, he knew if he did, it would help him and all his kin…. He just was not prepared for your uncles' betrayal."

"That's how he knew my uncle betrayed me, wasn't it?"

Gaius nodes. "When I found the amulet around Uthur's neck, I knew there was a traitor in Camelot…. As you can guess it didn't take Merlin long to work out it was your uncle."

Arthur looked at the ground. "I led my best friend to the pyre, ordered his arrest and told him how evil magic was…. How did Merlin face me every day, knowing I hated his kind and could have killed him, if I ever found out?"

"Merlin knew the risks and he was willing to take them. You are his friend…. Even now, if you were to get into trouble Merlin would come to your aid. If Camelot where to be attacked, he would try and save her. He will always be your friend, there is little you could do that would change that."

Arthur glanced at Gaius. "Why? What have I done to deserve such loyalty? I have helped kill hundreds of his kin, by order of the king…. Even when I became king, sorcerers were still killed…. Why did he continue to stand at my side?"

"Because Merlin trusts you," Gaius answers. "He trusts in your destiny. He trusts in your friendship. To Merlin you are like family and Merlin will always protect his family."

Arthur sighed. "I owe Merlin so much…. He's risked his life so many times and asked for nothing in return."

Gaius smiled. "Merlin will never ask for anything in return. You simply have to let him know all the sacrifices he has made, have not been in vain."

"But what should I do?" Arthur asked. "If I ever told the council, it was Merlin who killed my father, they would…. I hate to think what they would do."

"Then it's probably best you don't tell them, my lord." Gaius replied.

Arthur laughed. "You sound like Merlin."

Gaius smiled. "Just let Merlin know, you forgive him. Merlin has been haunted by that day, the guilt he feels is almost overwhelming."

Taliesin coughs getting everyone's attention. "We must continue watching. In two days time you must return to Camelot, king Sarrum has demanded council with you…. A matter of great importance, I have heard."

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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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The forest was almost in complete darkness and there was hardly a sound in the air. Camelot soldiers lay dead on the forest floor, among them is Sir Leon. Back in Camelot Arthur hands Uthur the remains of a Camelot cloak, telling him it was Cenred who sent it. The knights had entered his land and that was not aloud. Arthur tells Uthur everyone was killed. Back in the forest, hooded figures approach the fallen patrol. One of them stop beside Sir Leon and quickly calls the others over. They quickly pick him up and take him back to their home, where he is healed by drinking from the cup of life.

Tristan shakes his head. "Cenred is a hostile man…. We often feared having to smuggle goods across his borders."

Isolde nodes her agreement. "It was not only your kingdom he hated. All kingdoms he had a border with, he was hostile towards…. He just hated Uthur the most."

"He killed almost everyone," Gwen mutters. "Only because they crossed a border. They did no harm to his kingdom."

Arthur glances at Gwen. "A patrol crossing the border like that could be seen as an act of war."

"Well," Gwaine mutters. "His army did take over Camelot, thanks to Morgana and Morgause."

"What happened to Cenred?" Leon asks. "He was alive before the immortal army attacked, but no word of him was heard afterwards."

"It is possible," Gaius speaks up. "That he became immortal like the rest of his army and when the army was destroyed, he too perished."

Leon shakes his head. "No, only Morgana and Morgause were in Camelot…. It was Cenred army, but they did not march under his crest."

Sometime later in Camelot, Sir Leon has returned, alive and well. He tells the council that the druids healed him and Uthur begins to question him. Merlin looks up and starts paying attention as soon as he hears the druids mentioned. Sir Leon tells Uthur they used some sort of cup to heal him, Morgana looks up at this. Uthur tells Leon he must rest, so Leon, Arthur, Uthur, Gaius and Merlin go to Leon's room in the knights' wing. Arthur stays with Leon as he rests, Gaius and Uthur leave, soon followed by Merlin. Gaius tells Uthur he believed Leon was healed by the cup of life, Merlin looks up alarmed and Uthur tells Gaius they must get the cup before Cenred does.

"The druids," Percival mutters. "Are brave. They healed Leon knowing, he would return to Camelot and tell Uthur what happened."

Gwaine nodes. "Uthur could have sent other knights there to hunt them down. Uthur has been known to do that before."

"Your father should have left the cup alone," Gaius speaks. "The druids are powerful. Not many would have been able to take the cup, if they didn't want them to have it."

Leon sighs. "I will always be thankful to them, for saving me…. They could have left me to die."

"The druids help all those in need," Gaius answers. "They practice magic for the good of all and help all those in need."

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Later that night, Merlin and Gaius talk. Merlin was sure the cup of life had been destroyed when he battled Nimueh. Gaius informs him that the cup can never be destroyed and that Uthur fears it, because the cup can be used for great evil as well as great good. He tells Merlin a warlord once placed a drop of blood from each of his men in the cup, and they became immortal where they stood. If the cup were to fall into the hands of Morgana and Morgause, Camelot would be all but lost.

"So that's why the army were immortal," Isolde mutters. "I simply thought they used a spell to make themselves immortal."

"The power the cup of is bound to the old religion," Gaius explains. "It holds the power over life and death and like all magic it can be used for evil as well as good."

Elyan glanced at Gaius. "Merlin used the cup to save Isolde. But where did he get it from? It was lost with Morgana and Morgause."

"I believe Merlin returned it to the druids, but I do not know for sure," Gaius answers. "He may have returned it to the isle of the blessed, few people dare set foot there."

Arthur sighs. "But can Merlin keep in protected? If it fell into the wrong hands…."

"Merlin Emrys is more than capable of protecting the cup," Taliesin speaks up. "Not many know where the cup is hidden and those who know don't have the power to retrieve it."

Uthur summons his son and tells him, he must get the cup from the druids and return it to Camelot. He also tells Arthur, he must tell no one of his quest and he must go alone. Both of them are unaware that Morgana was listening in on their conversation, as Arthur returns to his room, Morgana quickly leaves her hiding place and walks away. Back in Arthur's room, Merlin is complaining about the fact he doesn't know where they are going. Arthur tells him, if he told him, he'd have to kill him.

Gwaine laughs. "Your quest is going to stay secret for a long time Arthur, it's not like Morgana would tell anyone!"

Arthur sighs. "We didn't know she was there and we didn't know she was a traitor."

"Did your father really distrust anyone?" Percival asks. "He would risk the life of his only son, to retrieve the cup, which was in an enemy kingdom."

"Uthur trusted no one," Gaius answers. "There were matters he would not even speak to me about…. He feared people would turn against him."

Arthur sighs. "If we had not taken the cup from the druids, would Cenred have gotten it?"

Taliesin shakes his head. "The only reason they gave it to you, was because they trusted Emrys to keep it safe. If Merlin had not been with you, they would never have handed it over."

Arthur nodes. "So if my father had listened to Gaius, Cenred would never have got the cup and Morgana would never have become queen."

"Morgana would have taken her place on the throne with or without the aid of the cup. Some fates cannot be avoided."

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Morgana meets Morgause, she tells her about the cup. Morgause quickly informs Morgana of its power and that with it, Camelot would be theirs. Morgana tells her that the druids have the cup and that their cave lies within Cenred's kingdom. Morgause tells Morgana they have use of Cenred once more, his spies were everywhere and Arthur would lead them straight to the cup. The following morning Arthur and Merlin ride out of Camelot and Morgana watches them go.

Leon shakes his head. "How could hate and fear change a person so much?"

"Morgause had a lot of influence over Morgana," Gaius answers. "If Morgana had not spent a year in Morgause's care I doubt she would have become so corrupted and hateful."

Tristan nodes. "You also have to think about what Merlin poisoning her must have been like…. He was the only person she trusted with her magic and he poisoned her."

"But Morgana knew what she was doing," Gwaine answered. "She had betrayed Camelot."

Gaius shakes his head. "I fear Morgana didn't know she was the source of the sleeping enchantment, maybe if she had..."

"It would have made no difference," Taliesin speaks up. "Morgana choose to betray Camelot."

Percival nodes. "She already wanted Uthur dead, nothing would have changed that."

Arthur and Merlin travel through Camelot towards Cenred's kingdom, but are unaware that they have been spotted by one of Cenred's spies. The spy returns to Cenred and informs him and Morgause of the direction Arthur was heading. Back in the forest Merlin works out they are going to Cenred's kingdom and asks Arthur what their quest is. Arthur replies if he told him he'd have to be killed. Merlin replies it doesn't matter, he more than likely going to die anyway. As Arthur tells them they won't run in to any trouble both of them are knocked out with darts.

Elyan shakes his head. "Cenred is like Morgause's puppet, he does everything she tells him to."

"It wouldn't surprise me if Morgause kills him, after she gets the cup," Percival agrees. "She would have no further use for him."

Leon nodes. "Then both she and Morgana would have a kingdom of their own to rule and an army which couldn't be killed."

"I think you'll find they can be killed," Gwaine grins. "We beat them and that was no doubt due to Merlin."

Gwen shakes her head. "You shouldn't have gone, Arthur, it was far too dangerous."

"I had to go, Gwen," Arthur replies. "It was my duty to protect Camelot, and at the time that seemed the best way to protect the kingdom."

Gwaine grins. "So that's how you ended up in that pit…. I had always wondered how they managed to knock princess out without leaving a mark."

"Shut up, Gwaine." Arthur snaps.

"What pit?" Percival asks.

"You'll see." Gwaine grins.

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Merlin wakes up to find himself surrounded by men and a very annoyed Arthur. After Merlin is pulled to his feet by Arthur, he is greeted by Gwaine. After Gwaine tells them how he ended up here, Arthur asks where here is. Gwaine tells him, it's an old castle a slave trader, Jarl, uses. Jarl soon appears and demands to know which man will fight against his champion next, after no one volunteers, Jarl chooses Merlin. Arthur quickly takes his place, Jarl agrees, but warns him if he loses he'll feed Merlin to the crows. Gwaine steps forward as the champion, much to the surprise of Arthur and Merlin.

Gwaine grins. "I doubt you could kill me princess, we all know you don't have the skill."

Arthur glares at Gwaine. "I can beat you, Gwaine."

"I have heard of Jarl," Percival speaks up, before Arthur and Gwaine get into a fight. "He was known for raiding villages and taking every able-bodied person, to sell as slaves."

Leon nodes. "He took many people from the outlying regions…. Uthur was forced to increase the patrols."

Elyan grinned. "You seemed so surprised that Gwaine was the champion."

Arthur sighs. "I wasn't surprise as such…. More like…. Disappointment, I would have had to kill Gwaine in order for Merlin to live."

"We all know you would have killed me, princess." Gwaine speaks up. "I would have let you, if you had died, so would Merlin."

Gwen grips Arthur's hand. "I'm glad you were not forced to make that choice."

Back in Cenred's castle, Morgause is quite annoyed, Cenred's man had lost Arthur. Cenred informs Morgause that they were taken by the slave trader, Jarl. Morgause warns Cenred that he better find Arthur before leaving. Back in Jarl's hide out, Arthur and Gwaine have been forced to fight, whilst Merlin is being held by Jarl's men. Arthur and Gwaine fight, but as it becomes clear neither of them are going to win, Merlin uses magic to start a fire. As the men panic, Merlin, Arthur and Gwaine escape. Once they stop to get their breath back, Merlin tells Gwaine they are looking for the cup of life and Gwaine offers to help.

Leon glances at Gwaine. "You could have waited until Arthur was paying attention, before you attacked."

Gwaine smiles. "If I had not used that to my advantage, Jarl would have guessed something was wrong…. As far as Jarl was concerned only Merlin and the princess knew each other."

Elyan shakes his head. "How long were you there for?"

"A couple of weeks," Gwaine answers. "No one lasts more than a month."

Percival shakes his head. "You would have killed each other, if it wasn't for Merlin using magic…. Which was a great risk on Merlin's part, slave traders are known to catch people with magic, and they sell for a much higher price."

Tristan nodes. "It not just people like Uthur and Sarrum who buy those with magic…. Many warlords buy those with magic, to use them as weapons."

Gwen shivers. "No person, no matter what their power, should be used as a weapon."

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Back in the slave traders hide out, Jarl is furious, he had been made a fool of. One of his man brings forward the bag Arthur had on him when he was caught and Jarl works out he was a prince. Back in the forest Gwaine and Arthur are arguing who would have won the fight and Merlin gets annoyed and tells them neither of them would have won and if wasn't for the fire they'd all be dead. Jarl informs Cenred that he was sure he had caught Arthur, gives them proof and tells them were Arthur was heading. After Jarl asks for money and Morgause kills him.

Isolde shakes her head. "Jarl was a bad man to get on the wrong side of…. He left us alone mostly, due to the fact we agreed to smuggle for him."

"We escaped," Gwaine grins. "Not many can say they escaped from the slave trader Jarl."

"You could all have been killed." Leon points out.

Elyan nodes. "Jarl wouldn't rest until he had both your heads mounted on stakes."

"Good thing Morgause killed him then," Tristan mutters. "He was a cruel man."

Gaius sighs. "The trouble you seem to get into…. Merlin's poor mother would have a heart attack if she heard about half the trouble Merlin gets into."

"I'm sure Hunith knows all about Merlin's adventures," Gwen smiles. "He does not seem like one to lie to his own mother."

Percival nodes. "He cares about her more than anyone else."

Back in the forest Merlin, Arthur and Gwaine have found the druids' cave. The three of them enter the druids' cave, the place is filled with candles, but there are no druids in sight. Arthur suddenly spots a cloth move and pulls a child out from under it. He asks the child where the cup is, but the child doesn't answer. Merlin warns Arthur to let the child go and Arthur only looks up when he notices the druids have surround them. Arthur draws his sword and holds it over the child's throat. Iseldir tells Arthur there is no need for violence and gives Arthur the cup, but as Arthur takes it Iseldir warns him and as they leave, Iseldir speaks to Merlin telepathically.

"Arthur!" Gwen gasps. "He was only a child!"

Arthur glanced at Gwen, but she wouldn't meet his eye. "I know, but I had to get the cup."

"He was a child, Arthur!" Gwen almost yelled. "He may not have even known were the cup was! What if they hadn't given you the cup? Would you have killed him?"

"Guinevere!" Arthur gaps. "I would never kill a child!"

"Yet you threaten one!" Gwen answers. "That poor child must have been so frightened."

Elyan turns to Gaius. "Couldn't he speak out loud?"

"Druids mostly talk telepathically," Gaius answers. "But he would have known how to talk, he may have been too scared to."

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As Merlin, Gwaine and Arthur head back through the forest, Merlin asks if the cup wasn't safer with the druids and Arthur tells Merlin the safest place for it was the vaults of Camelot. Merlin knew they had to get it there first and unknown to them they were being watched by Cenred and his men. As they approach the border to Camelot, Arthur notices that the forest is completely silent and before they can react Cenred's men ambush them. As they run, Arthur is shot and falls to the ground. Merlin uses magic to knock the soldiers away from him and in the process the cup is lost and found by Cenred's men. Merlin hears Gwaine call him and knows he cannot go after them.

"You should have left the cup with the druids." Tristan mutters. "It would have been safe with them."

Arthur sighs. "I know, but I could not go against my father's orders."

Percival shakes his head. "Why do you always seem to get injured? Gwaine and Merlin both escaped without injury."

"I don't know," Arthur mutters. "Maybe because I was the crown prince and also happened to be the person who had the cup."

Gwaine rolls his eyes. "Just admit it, you wouldn't survive a week without Merlin protecting you!"

Arthur glared at Gwaine. "I've survived since Merlin left."

"Only because we've been in this cave full of magic for most of the time!" Gwaine answers.

Elyan, Leon and Percival all sigh, everyone knew Arthur wouldn't live long without Merlin's protection…. Too many people wanted him dead.

Later that night in the forest within Camelot's borders, Merlin and Gwaine have made a small camp and check Arthur's wound. Merlin works out it was poisoned and Arthur has a fever, Gwaine still doesn't understand why the cup is so important and Merlin tells him it's a powerful weapon. Back at Cenred's castle, Morgause places a drop of blood from each of Cenred's men in the cup, turning them immortal. Back in Camelot Uthur orders Sir Leon to take a patrol and find Arthur, he had been gone too long. Once Leon leaves the hall, Morgana comforts Uthur, before smirking.

Gaius smiles as Merlin checks Arthur wound and works out it was poisoned. "With the right training, Merlin will make a fine physician. And with the help of Alice, his knowledge in the healing aspects of magic will be one of the greatest."

Gwen smiles. "It must be hard for Merlin…. He could not learn magic in Camelot, yet he had to fight people like Morgause, who have been trained to use magic for most of their lives."

"That is where Merlin had the advantage," Gaius answers. "No ever suspected him of magic, and in turn all those who attacked don't expect magic to stop them…. If Morgause had known a sorcerer protected Arthur, she would have used spells much more complex and harder to break."

Elyan shakes his head. "Cenred had no conscience, he knew everyone would be slaughtered by his army."

"The battle would be won before it even began." Percival agrees.

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Back in the forest, Arthur is still suffering from a high fever and Merlin asks Gwaine to go and get more fire wood. After Gwaine has gone, Merlin tries some healing spells, but they have little to no effect. Back in Cenred's castle, Cenred and Morgause watch as the immortal army marches towards Camelot. Morgause no longer having a use for Cenred orders one of his men to kill him, she made them immortal and now they only answered to her.

Gaius sighs. "A spell as basic as that would never heal an injury such as Arthur suffered... But it was the best he could do, without knowing the poison used, no spell would have worked."

Taliesin nodes. "Any other spells could have done more damage than good."

"Looks like Cenred finally worked out Morgause was only using him." Percival mutters.

Elyan nodes. "But a bit too late."

The following day, Leon and the patrol see the army marching towards Camelot and return to the woods, but as they return they're attacked by the immortals, only Leon gets away, after finding out they are immortal. Arthur finally wakes up, much to his annoyance the cup has gone. Arthur knows they have to get back to Camelot, but with his injury its going to take time. Back in Camelot Leon tells Uthur what he saw and Uthur orders the war council to be gathered. Leon quickly tells Uthur that the army are immortal, they cannot be killed. After everyone is dismissed, Uthur asks Gaius how Cenred could have known about the cup, Gaius tells him they have a traitor whilst glancing at smirking Morgana.

Leon shakes his head. "I hope I never see an army such as that again…. It was even worse than the skeletons."

"No one will get the cup as long as Merlin is alive." Taliesin speaks.

Arthur looks at Taliesin. "So if someone were to kill Merlin, they could get the cup?"

"If someone managed to kill Merlin," Taliesin answers, glancing at Gaius. "They would still have to find the cup."

Gwaine rolls his eyes. "Only you princess could be think being unconscious was an excuse."

"Shut up, Gwaine."

Percival glances at Gaius. "Why did Uthur order the army to prepare, everyone would have been better off leaving the city."

"Uthur had a lot of pride, to him a battle isn't over until the last man dies…. He would not abandon his kingdom, not without a fight."

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Camelot's army prepares for battle, as the immortal army gather outside the city. Gwen watches from the window in Morgana's chamber, Morgana soon appears. Morgana tells Gwen that those who embrace change will not be killed and Gwen tells Morgana she has always been loyal to Morgana. Elsewhere the following day, Merlin, Arthur and Gwaine are still a days march from Camelot. They find a village that has been completely destroyed and a Camelot patrol that has been slaughtered. Even though Merlin knows who has done this, he says nothing, finally Arthur works out what's happened.

Gwen shivers slightly. "I will always be loyal to you Arthur…. I just couldn't let Morgana know."

Arthur takes Gwen hand. "I understand, Gwen, I would rather you lied like that and lived, than to have told her you were loyal to me and be one of the first to die."

"An immortal army," Isolde mutters. "Those villages didn't stand a chance."

Tristan nodes. "Many wouldn't have even known how to use a sword let alone how to kill a mortal man."

"Or the patrol." Percival adds. "They could fight, but even their weapons were useless against the immortals."

"Nobody stood a chance," Leon mutters. "There is only one weapon I know that can kill the immortal…. The sword Excalibur, but we didn't have it."

At last Camelot comes into view, smoke raises from the city in large columns of smoke and some fires are still burning. As Merlin, Arthur and Gwaine made their way towards the city, they pass many dead knights, soldiers and guards. They enter the lower town to find it in ruins, they make their way to Gwen house and find Elyan there. Elyan tells them what happened and that Gwen was in the citadel when it was taken. And so Arthur starts to make his way to the castle, followed by Gwaine. Merlin and Elyan who are a little further behind talk about how long Arthur will be able to keep going for.

Gwaine shakes his head. "I hope I never see anything like that again... They were slaughtered where they stood."

"No one had ever taken the citadel before," Arthur adds. "Once inside the citadel you are trapped…. The only way out are the siege tunnels and not many people know about them."

Percival shakes his head. "It couldn't have been easy to find your kingdom in such a state of ruin and know there was nothing you could do to stop it."

Gwaine pats Percival arm. "Good thing Merlin came up with a plan then, immortal armies don't just vanish into dust."

Gaius sighs. "I don't know whether Merlin was just stupid or quite brave…. Not many would have risked what he did."

"Lancelot helped him, didn't he?" Percival asks. "He was the only one who knew about Merlin's magic."

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Merlin, Arthur, Elyan and Gwaine make their way into the castle, hiding and slipping past the immortals on guard. As they make their way down a hallway littered with dead soldiers, Arthur struggles to keep standing. So Merlin sends Elyan and Gwaine to check the dungeons for Gwen and the others, while he takes Arthur to Gaius's chamber. After making it to Gaius's chamber, Merlin hears a noise from one of the cupboards and picks up Arthur sword. He pulls up the door to find Gaius hiding, the two quickly greet each other with a hug, before trying to treat Arthur's injury.

Gwaine grins. "How does it feel to be bossed around by Merlin, princess?"

Arthur glared at Gwaine. "You and Elyan followed his orders too."

"Yeah," Gwaine grins. "Because we knew what he said was a better plan than you would ever be able to come up with."

Elyan quickly speaks up noticing Arthur's expression. "To me honest, sire, you were in no fit state at the time…. You were injured and only just standing on your own."

Isolde smiles at Gaius. "You were quite shocked to see Merlin."

"I feared he was dead," Gaius answers. "There was no way Cenred could have got the cup from the druids…. That meant he must have got it off Arthur. Cenred would and did order for them to be killed, I feared I would never see Merlin again."

Gwen nodes her agreement. "I feared Arthur was dead, if he had been found by a patrol or returned to Camelot, he would have been killed."

Down in the dungeons Elyan and Gwaine watch as Uthur is dragged away by some immortal guards. Back in Gaius's chamber, Merlin is up in his room packing his bag, he packs the gift from the fisher king. Upon returning to the main chamber, Merlin approaches Gaius and Arthur just as Arthur downs a potion. Elyan and Gwaine suddenly burst through the door and tell Arthur where Uthur has been taken, Arthur tells them to take Gaius and flee into the woods and Merlin refuses to go with them. Merlin and Arthur make their way through the castle towards the throne room. They watch from the balcony above the throne room as Uthur is forced to his knees and Morgana is crowned queen.

Leon glances at Elyan and Gwaine. "How did you not get caught? Before Gwen helped me escape, there were guards on ever entrance to the dungeons, even the entrance from the dragons cave was guarded."

Gwaine grins. "Immortal guards it seems, as just as stupid as normal ones."

"We just throw a rock down the opposite corridor," Elyan explained. "And they all run off to find out what the noise was."

Leon rolled his eyes. "That's almost as bad as our guards…. We really have to work on training the guards when we return to Camelot."

"Merlin would still be able to get past them," Percival points out. "And so would any prisoners with magic."

"I just couldn't believe Morgana would betray us in such a way," Arthur mutters. "Finding out she was my sister also…."

Gwen grips Arthur's hand. "It was her choice."

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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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Leon is being pulled along a corridor by some immortal guards. He is marched into the council chamber and forced to his knees before Morgana, but he refuses to swear loyalty to her, he would rather die. He is then dragged back out of the council chamber and back to the dungeons. Out in the forest Merlin out runs a couple of immortals on patrol, before entering the cave he and the others are using as a hide out. He hands the supplies he got to Elyan and walks over to Gaius and warns him they have to do something, Morgana's men are everywhere. On the other side of the cave Arthur is sulking.

"She ruled with fear," Gwen mutters. "She tried to scare people into being loyal to her…. If she truly wanted the people to respect her, she should have shown them she was different to Uthur."

Leon shakes her head. "I don't think the people would have been loyal to her, even if she had tried to rule differently to Uthur. She used an immortal army to gain control by force, people would never have trusted her."

"Merlin volunteered to get the supplies," Gwaine mutters. "But one of us should have gone with him, he only just managed to escape the immortals on patrol."

Elyan shakes his head. "It would have been no use, to try and kill them wouldn't have worked. Merlin was right, he was the fastest runner and knew the forest better than us."

"And if the worst came to the worse, Merlin could have used magic to get rid of them," Percival adds. "He would not have been able to if you were with him."

Back in Camelot, the knights have been lined up in the court yard, Morgana stands on the balcony overlooking the court yard. As the knights refuse to swear alliance, Morgana orders for the citizens watching to be shot. Later as the bodies are being removed from the court yard, Morgana goes to see Uthur in the dungeons. Uthur demands to know why she is doing this, killing innocent people. She tells him he should understand, after all he killed many people who were innocent.

Gaius sighs. "She hated Uthur and how he killed so many innocent people, yet what she did is no difference…. I still find in hard to believe that the sweet, kind young lady, could turn so cold and heartless."

"She believed she was doing the right thing," Isolde speaks up. "She was trying to free those with magic…. She just went about it the wrong way. All she did was make people fear magic more."

Gwen nodes. "She demanded loyalty, she did not earn it."

"The knights will always be loyal to you Arthur," Leon proclaims. "No matter what happen we will always be loyal to you."

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Back in the cave Merlin and the others are hiding in, Merlin tries to convince Arthur to eat. After Arthur tells him to leave him alone, Merlin tells Arthur it is his duty to save his father and his people. Arthur simply tells him an immortal army cannot be beaten and Merlin answers they don't know until they try. Back in Camelot, Gwen is still working as Morgana's maid servant. Morgana talks about how hard it is being queen, Gwen offers to go and speak with Leon and try to make him see sense.

Gwen pulls a face. "What could he have feed Arthur, that is worse than rat?"

"Loads of things," Gwaine grins. "Toad paste, crushed sheep eyeballs, horse-"

"I get it!" Gwen exclaimed.

Arthur smiled. "Merlin gives the best advice…. If he had just left me, I would never have found the courage to try and save my father."

"Merlin has a way of giving people hope," Gwen smiled. "Without hope, there is no reason to fight."

Elyan nodes. "Merlin refusal to give up and to always fight no matter what the odds, gives others the courage to do the same."

"Lancelot told me," Percival speaks up. "That Merlin was the bravest person he had ever had the honour of knowing and it's true."

Back in the cave Merlin is speaking with Gaius. Gaius asks if Merlin has sent word to Lancelot and Merlin tells him he has, but he doesn't know if Lancelot was still in the place he sent it too. Merlin tells Gaius they have to act now, before Morgana gets any stronger. Merlin asks how the last immortal army was destroyed and Gaius told him the blood was emptied from the cup, so the enchantment no longer held. Merlin tells Gaius that was he must do, but Gaius warns Merlin he cannot kill one let alone a whole army to get to the cup.

"So that's why Lancelot knew where we were." Arthur mutters.

Gaius glances at Arthur. "Didn't Merlin tell you he sent for Lancelot?"

Arthur shakes his head. "No, I thought Lancelot had heard about what had happened and come in search of us, to aid us."

Elyan rolls his eyes. "I can remember Lancelot saying it was Merlin who contacted him."

Gwaine nodes. "Yeah, he told us when we asked him about at the round table."

"Arthur was talking to Gwen at the time," Leon points out. "He wouldn't have been paying attention to what we were talking about."

Gwen turns to Gaius. "Couldn't Merlin have used magic? I mean even if his magic couldn't kill them, it could keep them out of his way."

Gaius shakes his head. "Mortal magic has no effect on the dead…. The moment their blood entered the cup, they became the living dead."

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Back in Camelot Gwen visits Leon in the dungeons and smuggles some food in for him. Leon asks Gwen why she was there, Gwen tells him Morgana sent her and quickly explains why. When Leon calls form the guards, Gwen quickly tells him she wants to help him escape and that they need to find Arthur. But unknown to Gwen and Leon, Morgana and Morgause are spying on them and work out a plan so Gwen and Leon silk lead them straight to Arthur. Back in the cave, Merlin is looking for the gift the fisher king gave him, Gaius asks him what he is doing and Merlin explains the fisher king told him in Camelot's darkest hour, when all seemed lost, it would guide him and all Merlin had to do was work out how to use it.

Leon glances at Gwen. "I am sorry Gwen, I should have known you would never betray Arthur."

Gwen smiled. "You had seen me being loyal to Morgana…. I had to keep up the appearance, or otherwise I would have been suspected."

"You shouldn't have risked it Gwen," Arthur speaks up. "If it wasn't for Morgause knowing she could use you to lead them to me, Morgana would have had you killed!"

"I couldn't just leave Leon there to die! I had to help him." Gwen answers.

Elyan sighs. "Maybe next time, Gwen, tell people your plan on your second visit…. I doubt Morgana would have followed you a second time."

"The gift the fisher king gave Merlin," Gwaine asks. "How does it work?"

"You will see." Taliesin answers.

Back in Camelot Gwen and Morgana toast to friendship and loyalty, after Morgana slips a potion into Gwen's drink. Back in the cave Merlin is trying spells on the fisher kings gift, but nothing seems to work. Back in Camelot Gwen enters Morgana room, after checking no one's there, she makes a mould of the key to the dungeons and leaves, but unknown to her, Morgause was watching her. Back in the cave Merlin is still trying spells and nothing is working, at last Merlin falls asleep. Back in Camelot Gwen makes a copy of they key to the dungeons in the forge, all she had to do know was wait for it to set.

"You shouldn't have accepted the drink, Gwen." Arthur mutters. "She could have poisoned it."

"If I had refused, Morgana would have become suspicious," Gwen answers. "At the time I thought she had no idea about my plan and I couldn't afford for her to find out."

"Why didn't the spells Merlin tried work?" Percival asks.

Taliesin sighs. "The gift was not a light to guide but a message... A message which held the answers on how to destroy the immortal army."

Elyan glanced at Gwen. "You took a great risk Gwen, if you had been caught…."

"I wasn't caught and that's all that matters." Gwen answers.

Arthur glances at Gwen. "I take it your father taught you?"

Gwen shakes her head. "No, but I watched my father enough times to know how to make a key."

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Back in the cave, Merlin is woken up by a noise behind him and drops the gift, causing it to shatter. He turns to find Gwaine leaving the cave. The water forms a pool and suddenly Freya appears in the water, to say Merlin is shocked is an understatement. Freya tells Merlin that those who place their blood in the cup of life become the living dead, Merlin works out Excalibur can kill them and Freya tells Merlin he must come to the lake so she can give him the sword. Gwaine returns and Merlin looks round, but when he looks back at the pool of water Freya is gone.

"Freya!" Gwen gasps. "He got to see Freya again."

Gaius smiled. "When Freya died her soul was bound to the lake…. She became the lady of the lake."

"How is that possible?" Isolde asks. "Tales of the lady of the lake have been around since the kingdoms were formed."

"So have Emrys and the once and future king," Gaius answers. "Yet they were not even born twenty five years ago."

Elyan smiles. "At least Merlin has a way to destroy the immortal army."

"He still has to reach the cup," Percival points out. "Morgause will have it guarded one sword will be no use against ten or more men."

Merlin quickly leaves the cave, after making sure he wasn't followed he summons Kilgharrah. After a small disagreement with Kilgharrah on that matter of whether he was a horse or not, he flies Merlin to the lake of Avalon. Once they arrive Merlin makes his way to the lake's edge, but not before Kilgharrah warns Merlin after he has used the sword he must place it where no man can wield it. After spotting a boat, he uses magic to sail the boat out into the middle of the lake where Freya hands him the sword.

"Why didn't Merlin just return the sword to the lake?" Leon asks. "Arthur pulled it from a stone, wouldn't it have been easier to have placed it back in the lake?"

Taliesin shakes his head. "The sword if it had been placed back in the lake, would have been taken to Avalon."

Gaius nodes. "If the sword had been taken to Avalon, Merlin would have been the only one able to retrieve it…. It was better placed in a stone where Arthur would one day claim it."

Gwaine sighs. "It's so unfair, Merlin gets to ride a dragon and we get horses."

Elyan rolls his eyes. "He's a dragon lord, of course he gets to ride a dragon!"

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Back in Camelot, Gwen pretends to trip whilst carrying a laundry basket and passes the key she made down to Leon. That night as the warning bell sounds, Gwen opens her front door and hands Leon a dress as Leon enters. After explain to Leon that all the guards will be looking for a knight not two women courtiers, Leon puts on the dress and the two of them leave Camelot. Unknown to them Morgan and Morgause are watching them leave, as they vanish into the woods, Morgause casts a spell causing a trail to be left behind them. Far from the castle Gwen helps Leon change back into his normal cloths. As Gwen and Leon make their way towards where they think Arthur is hiding, Morgause and a patrol of immortals are following them.

Gwaine bursts out laughing. "That's just brilliant!"

Leon glares at Gwaine. "It is not funny."

"No," Gwaine agrees. "It's hilarious."

Elyan was trying really hard not to laugh and Percival couldn't hide the grin that had formed. Even Arthur seemed unable to stop his lips from twitching upwards. Tristan was grinning and Isolde was laughing into her hand, whilst Gaius just raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly.

"We should have known Morgana or Morgause would follow us," Gwen mutters. "I shouldn't have been so careless."

Leon shakes his head. "You had no reason to believe Morgana knew what you were planning."

Back in the cave Merlin is hiding Excalibur among his things when Arthur appears and tells him what he said yesterday was quite wise and if he hadn't known Merlin would have thought he was wise. A noise from outside the cave, cause both of them to leave. Merlin and Arthur, along with Gwaine prepare to attack who ever is making their way towards the cave. Arthur jumps out and grabs Gwen, the two quickly embrace and as Arthur greets Leon, Elyan appears warning them they have been found. Merlin and warns Gaius, who tells him he should be left behind, he is too slow. But Merlin refuses to go without him.

"Merlin is one of the wisest people I know," Gaius smiles. "He has wisdom far beyond his years."

Arthur nodes. "Him playing the fool was simply an act to protect himself."

"Merlin only showed you one side of himself, you simply failed to see the other. Merlin can be a complete fool at times, it wasn't always an act. He is still the person he was before." Gaius answers.

Arthur sighs. "And if were not for my father Merlin would never have had to hid."

"If it weren't for your father," Taliesin answers. "Merlin would never have been born. Balinor would never have meet Hunith, if it wasn't for the fact he was fleeing Uthur."

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As Gaius leaves Merlin runs deeper into the cave and grabs Excalibur, as he runs to catch up with the other, an immortal jumps out on him and they battle. Merlin wins and the immortal guard explodes into little more than dust. As the group make their way through a cannon, the immortals are closing in. Suddenly rocks fall blocking the path behind them and stopping the immortals from catching them. Looking up Lancelot and Percival stand looking down at them. As they flee into the woods, they stop for a moment and Lancelot introduces Arthur to Percival. When Arthur asks what Lancelot was doing here, Merlin tells him he sent for him.

Percival smiles. "Merlin truly isn't half bad with a sword."

Elyan nodes. "With the right training he could be even better."

"Least he knew Excalibur worked." Leon sighs. "Now all he has to do is work out how to get to the cup."

Gwaine glances at Arthur. "Merlin told you he sent for Lancelot, I think you may have been hit over the head one to many times princess."

"Shut up, Gwaine."

Back in Camelot Morgause apologizes to Morgana, Arthur had got lucky and escaped. Morgana tells her it isn't a problem, Arthur has handful of men and they have an immortal army. Morgause explains while Arthur lives, the people will not yield. Morgana simply orders for a gallows to be built and one by one the knight will be killed, until the people give their alliance.

Gwen just shakes her head. "I agree with Merlin, all I feel for Morgana is pity…. She became so cold and full of hate…. It's just sad."

Everyone else stays silent, there was little they could say that hadn't already been said.

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Elsewhere Arthur leads the way to an old, abandoned fort, they enter to find the place covered in dust and cobwebs. After Gaius asks if the place is safe, Arthur orders everyone to look round to see what they can find. Merlin and Gwen light a fire and some candles, whilst Percival hands Gaius a drink and Gwaine returns from his search with a pile of weapon, possible left by bandits. Whilst the soon-to-be knights sort through the weapons, Arthur pulls back the cover, revealing a round table.

Taliesin smiled. "The round table of the ancient kings had been believed to have been lost for many years."

Arthur glances at Gaius. "You and Merlin never seem to have faith in places I choose to hide."

"It wasn't that I didn't have faith," Gaius answers. "That castle was well known by all who knew the history of ancient kings, Morgana would have known about it. I feared she would send a patrol to trap us there and kill us."

He calls everyone forwards to join him at the table and everyone quickly sits, Arthur tells them the history of the table and how all those who sat around it were equal. One by one everyone rises and agrees to fight by Arthur's side. The only person who doesn't stand is Merlin, but quickly gets to his feet when Arthur tells him he doesn't have a choice. Shortly after, Elyan, Gwaine, Lancelot and Percival are all knighted.

"The knight of the round table, has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" Gwaine grins.

Arthur rolls his eyes. "You are a knight of Camelot Gwaine."

Gwaine smiles. "The bright red cloaks make it quite hard to forget."

Tristan glances at Arthur. "You knighted commoners, even though you knew your father wouldn't approve."

"They are nobler than many of the knights from noble families." Arthur answers. "Each and every one of them would lay down their lives for me and showed true loyalty."

"Then why didn't you knight Merlin?" Isolde asks. "He is loyal and would lay down his life for you... He was prepared to fight an immortal army on his own to save you!"

Arthur sighs. "Merlin just isn't a knight…. He's just... Merlin."

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Later that night both Merlin and Lancelot lie awake, whilst everyone one else is asleep. Merlin congratulates Lancelot on becoming a knight, when Lancelot asks Merlin for how long, Merlin doesn't really give an answer and looks away. Lancelot works out Merlin is planning something and wants to know what it is, he warns Merlin not to lie, he knows him to well. Unknown to Merlin and Lancelot, Gaius is still awake and listens in as Merlin tells Lancelot his plan. Merlin explains that he must empty the cup of blood and immortal army will be destroyed. Lancelot tells Merlin, he is the one Arthur should knight, he was the bravest of them all and they didn't even know it.

Percival nodes. "Merlin is the bravest of us all…. He was going to face an immortal army on his own, if Lancelot hadn't worked out he was planning something he probably would have."

"I don't know whether it was bravery or stupidity." Gaius mutters.

Elyan shakes his head. "I don't think I would be brave enough to fight an immortal army on my own."

Leon nodes his agreement. "Even if I had Excalibur, I don't think I could face the army alone."

Gwaine grins. "The odds do look lovely."

The following day Arthur explains his plan to get his father out of Camelot, Lancelot speaks up saying the need to disable the warning bell, he and Merlin volunteer to go, Arthur agrees and Merlin and Lancelot share a look. Arthur and Gwen share a kiss before they leave. As they prepare to leave Gaius tells Merlin he knows what he is planning on doing and warns him, if Morgause catches him, she will kill him.

Arthur shakes his head. "I should have known they were never going after the warning bell, Merlin agreed to it far too quickly."

Leon nodes. "Merlin never leaves you side, when he knows only magic could be the way to save you…. He even went with you to the throne room when Morgana was crowned queen."

Gaius smiled slightly. "I am just glad Merlin didn't have to do it alone."

Gwen grips Arthur's hand. "I told you, you would come back to me."

"And I always will." Arthur answers.

Isolde smiles. "Did Merlin really believe you didn't know about the plan? Even if you hadn't over heard them, you knew Merlin to well to think he didn't have a plan."

"Merlin feared if he told me, I would try and stop him," Gaius answers. "Neither he or Lancelot were expecting to come back alive."

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They make it into the castle and Lancelot and Merlin head up into the main area of, the castle to, destroy the cup of life. The others head down into the dungeons. Back at the fort, Gwen returns from collecting fire wood, to find Gaius gone. Back in Camelot Merlin suddenly stops and tells Lancelot he can feel the power of the cup. Suddenly an immortal spots them and Merlin uses the sword to destroy them, much to the surprise of Lancelot.

Gaius turns to Gwen. "I am sorry I left you, but I couldn't let Merlin and Lancelot face Morgause and Morgana alone."

Gwen smiles. "I understand…. You and Merlin were the only two people with magic."

Gwaine laughs. "You would have thought Merlin would have told Lancelot about the sword."

"Merlin always leaves out the important details." Arthur mutters. "Whenever he has a plan he leaves about the important details."

Gwaine grins. "You mean like when you step-mother was a troll?"

"Shut up, Gwaine."

Down in the dungeons Gwaine leads some immortals into a trap. With only a couple trapped Arthur and the new knights are left to fight their way into the dungeons. Freeing some of the knights being help prisoner, the numbers on either side begin to even up and Arthur quickly finds his father and frees him. As they try and fight their way out the warning bell sounds.

Percival thinks for a moment. "If Merlin and Lancelot had told us their plan, wouldn't they have had a better chance of reaching the cup and destroying it?"

Leon shakes his head. "Merlin would never have been able to explain how the sword was forged, if he had he could have been executed."

"He wouldn't have been able to lead the way to the cup either," Elyan adds. "He sensed the magic of cup and was able to follow it."

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Meanwhile Merlin and Lancelot fight their way into the hall containing the cup of life, after destroying almost all the guards outside, they take a moment to relax before noticing the cup is guarded by a lot of guards. They quickly fight their way through the guards but Lancelot is injured by the last one. Merlin quickly defeats the last one and turns towards the cup, but before he can reach it, Morgause throws him into a wall.

Gwaine smiles. "They thought they had done it, only to be faced with even more immortals."

"They would have been better off if Merlin had given the sword to Lancelot," Elyan mutters. "He was a much better fighter."

"No," Taliesin speaks up. "Excalibur was made for Arthur and Arthur alone, no other can wield it…. Uthur could use it because he shared blood with Arthur and Merlin's a dragon lord he can wield any weapon forged by dragons."

Percival looks slightly worried as Lancelot falls to the ground injured, but breathes a sigh of relief as Merlin steps between him and the last immortal. "That guard could have killed him, if Merlin had gone straight for the cup, he would be dead."

Leon winces, as Merlin's thrown into a wall. "How did he even stand after that? That looked like quite a lot of force, I wouldn't be surprised if that broke a couple of ribs."

But before Morgause can kill Merlin, Gaius appears and sends Morgause flying backwards, but it does little damage. As she gets to her feet and raises her arm towards Gaius, Merlin uses magic to send her crashing into a pillar, where she falls to the ground unconscious. Merlin quickly grabs Excalibur and empties the cup of life destroying every last immortal soldier. Down in the dungeons everyone laughs and smiles in relief. Arthur tells his father he is safe now and Elyan notices Gwaine has gone, but he's still alive much to everyone's relief.

"Gaius, you shouldn't have done that," Gwen gasps. "Morgause could have killed you!"

Gaius sighed. "If I had done nothing, Merlin would have been forced to use magic while Morgause saw him…. If Morgana knew about Merlin's magic, it would have done a lot of damage."

"So Merlin has destroyed two immortal armies now," Gwaine grins. "And he hasn't told anyone about it, or asked for anyone to thank him."

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Merlin, Gaius and Lancelot all share relieved glances, but suddenly Morgana appears and runs to her fallen sister. Merlin tells her it is over and she replies it has only just began. Morgana suddenly starts screaming causing all the windows to shatter inwards and the ceiling to collapse around them. Merlin, Gaius and Lancelot quickly flee the room.

"Her magic did all that damage," Isolde mutters. "And she didn't use a spell once."

"Her magic was channelled through her range, anger and pain, causing her to lose control of it." Gaius explains. "Unlike Merlin, her control over her magic wasn't that strong, when she lost control of her emotions."

Elyan shivers slightly remembering what Morgana had done to him just over a week ago. "She was right, it had only just begun."

The following day, Merlin and Arthur sit on the steps outside the castle and talk, Merlin tells Arthur it may be time for him to become king. Arthur gets up as soon as Gwen and the knights come into view. Merlin smiles before heading into the castle. Later that night, Gaius informs him Morgana and Morgause were gone. Gaius congratulates Merlin on destroying the immortal army and Merlin tells Gaius he was right, Camelot needed both of them. As Gaius talks about cleaning up their chamber, Merlin tells him he has a job to do first. Merlin takes Excalibur and finds a rock deep in the forest, after checking no one is around, he uses magic to drive the sword into the stone, before stepping back and admiring his work.

Arthur smiled. "I hope Merlin never changes."

Gwen smiled. "I doubt Merlin ever will."

Isolde frowns. "Do you think Merlin ever felt like an outsider? He just watched you, but didn't join you."

"Merlin didn't feel like he belonged, at the time…. He had magic and magic was illegal. He could never belong unless magic was accepted." Taliesin speaks up.

Gaius nodes his agreement. "Magic is a huge part of who Merlin is…. Until magic is accepted, Merlin will never truly belong."

"A sword in a stone," Tristan mutters. "No one would ever be able to wield it there... But wasn't it a risk to leave it in the middle of the forest? If Uthur had ever found out about it, he would have started a witch hunt, preaching sorcerers were mocking him and his kingdom."

"Merlin placed a ward on the area, after he left," Gaius explains. "It would mean only he could find it…. That's why even though you knew the woods Arthur, you had never seen it before."

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Hey hoped you liked that chapter, next chapter should be up soon. It may take a little longer for me to write the chapters soon, because on Monday college starts, meaning I will have less time to write. Well that's series three complete, only series four to go :)

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.