Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter forty-two: Return to Albion.

Merlin stood on the banks of the lake of Avalon, Freya could not join him in the mortal word until he created the mortal gateway. Sighing he looked at the staff of Emrys, which he was holding in his hands. He had no idea what spell he was going to use and was hoping the staff would guide him, like it had when he restored the perilous lands.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forwards onto the lakes surface. Much to his surprise, it felt no different to walking on solid ground. He slowly made his way across the water's surface and towards the centre of the lake. He glanced over his shoulder at the tree line behind him, he knew a Camelot patrol passed close to this area and he just hoped he wasn't seen. They were not the only people Merlin had to worry about, anyone could be passing…. To many, this was just a normal lake, hardly anyone knew it was the gateway to Avalon.

He walked across the surface of the lake until he reached the centre, he shut his eyes and reached out within his magic. He could feel the magic in the lake around him and also the faint traces of magic left by the portal between worlds. Concentrating, Merlin connected his magic with the magic of Avalon and the lake around him, and slammed the staff of Emrys into the water's surface. He simply willed his magic to do his bidding, as he opened his eyes they burned gold and the magic around him began to shift and swirl.

At first nothing happened but then, a loud rumbling sound came from deep beneath the surface of the lake and the water began to glow and ripple. The ripples soon began to for waves and went crashing on to the banks of the lake. Merlin was soon finding it hard to keep his balance as the water under his feet rose and fell in giant waves, as they went hurtling towards the banks of the lake.

Merlin was suddenly thrown, through the air, towards the banks of the lake, as a massive pluses of magic burst from the lake and sending water in all directions. Merlin crashed landed on the bank of the lake and quickly got to his feet, the waves that had already hit the earth around the lake had softened ground and in turn created a softer landing for him. Using the staff of Emrys to keep his balance, Merlin turned on the wet ground to look back at the lake.

Now standing in the middle of the lake was a small island, with a pillar of stone standing in the middle. It reminded Merlin of a tower, but it was far smaller and appeared to have a single arch like door way at the base. Merlin sighed, raised his hand and muttered a spell. His eyes glowed gold and out of the water burst a stone path leading straight to the island.

Walking along the stone path, Merlin made his way onto the island. He stopped before the door, he could sense the magic from Avalon, but there was only one way to find out if his spell had worked. He pushed the door open and stepped into the tower. On the opposite side to which Merlin entered there was a second door, walking across to it, Merlin pulled it open and steped out.

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Iseldir hurried through the tower to the council hall, news had reached him that Merlin had returned to the mortal realm and Freya, the lady of the lake and Merlin's wife, was soon to join him. The druid council would be over joyed at this news, even Iseldir couldn't help but smile as he hurried along. The druids would soon have a queen, as well as a king.

"I have news," Iseldir announces as he enters the council hall. "Emrys has returned to this realm and he has also created the gateway between the realms. Passage for mortals between the realms can happen once more."

"Then we must prepare," A druid elder answers. "They may have married in Avalon, but we still have to perform a druid ceremony. The ceremony must be performed before the lady of the lake can be crowned."

A second druid elder nodes. "A hand fasting ceremony can be held out in the forest, there is a clearing large enough for the ceremony to take place."

"They can then return here," A third speaks up. "Where she can be crowned."

Iseldir nodes. "But we must work quickly, the day after tomorrow we leave to support those fighting and offer our aid in healing."

A forth speaks up. "Tomorrow Emrys has duties to perform and today will be too short notice…. We do not even know if Emrys is traveling elsewhere before he returns here."

Iseldir nodes. "He will be back soon, but he will want to spend time with his family."

"Then the ceremony must take place on the morning before we go to battle," the first speaks up. "We leave at midday, the ceremony will not take that long…. It just means the celebrations afterwards will have to be quite short or not at all."

The third elder nodes. "The crowning can take place straight after and should all be completed by midday, if we have a dawn start."

"We should have time," the second agrees. "But the magic council must be informed, as must the war council, there plans have yet to be completed…. They may send Emrys and the dragons to the fort first to ensure it is safe."

Iseldir shakes his head. "Only Kilgharrah will be fighting, Aithusa is too young…. Emrys is going to be the last to leave and join the battle. He, unlike the army, will be fighting from the air and only on the ground when he is needed."

"So we have time," The forth speaks. "We must start to prepare for the hand fasting and the crowning."

Everyone nodes their agreement and the druid council quickly leave the hall.

Iseldir sighs, battle was closing in fast. With the war council still debating the best course to take in the upcoming battle, everyone was being forced to leave a day later. The original plan was for the army to leave tomorrow, but without a plan it would be useless.

All Iseldir could do was hope the war council finalises their plans and finalises them soon. If Mordred was to start his attack now, they would have little hope. Their land had no castles or forts, the only fort they had were on the other side of the mountains facing the plains of Camlann. People would not be able to find shelter from the arm, even the tower offered little protection.

Even when the fisher king ruled this land in his time of perfect health, he never fought in his own kingdom. He always went away to fight, but when he returned injuries his illness affected his land. The fisher king also had many powerful spell and enchantments which protected his lands and people. No enemy had ever been known to cross the border into his land, the magic he used to protect his land was just too strong.

Iseldir quickly leaves the council hall, the fisher king had not used his own magic to protect the kingdom, and he wouldn't have had the power. He used magical object, which held strong power. Iseldir only knew of a handful of objects with that power and only one of them he knew was still around, all other had been lost or destroyed. The same object that restored this land was going to protect it.

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Freya stood watching the lake before, soon she would be returning to the mortal world. All she had to do was wait for Merlin to create the mortal gateway. She had to admit she was nervous and a little bit scared, but she would have Merlin beside her and that was all that mattered. She glanced round, Avalon had been the place she had lived for close to two years, but it had never been her home as such…. Home was where the heart is and her heart would forever be with Merlin.

"Lady Freya?" A voice behind her calls.

Freya turned to find three women standing there. A young maiden, a mother and an old crone.

"Yes," Freya answers. "How may I help you?"

The three women smile. And the old crone speaks up. "It is not how you may help us, it is how we may help you."

Freya looks at them. "I don't need any help."

The maiden smiles. "I guess in ways you do not, but in others you do."

Freya answers. "What is it you believe I need help with?"

"A gift that was given to you by the fates," The mother answers. "A gift that we wish to give our blessing to."

"What gift?" Freya asks.

"The gift of motherhood, child." The crone answers.

"Motherhood?" Freya questions.

The maiden nodes. "Yes, motherhood."

"We wish to give our blessing to those who are yet to be born." The mother answers.

"But I am not with child." Freya answers.

The crone stares at Freya for a moment. "You may be or you may not be, but the fates have given you that gift."

"And we wish to bless it." The maiden replies.

"Who are you?" Freya asks.

The crone smiles. "Who we are does not matter, child."

"In time you will know the answer." The mother answers.

"But until that time," The maiden spoke. "The truth will be hidden."

Freya takes a step back. "Why should I trust you?"

"There is no need to fear us." The maiden smiled.

"We mean you no harm," The crone answer. "And all those who harm you will pay the price."

"Why would they pay a price?" Freya asks.

"You have the wife of Merlin Emrys," The mother answers. "And Merlin Emrys has our blessing, so in turn so do you."

"The power of three, is the greatest power of all," The maiden speak. "You are truly blessed."

"What?" Freya asks.

"You are blessed with motherhood and the power of three," The crone answers. "The fates have delt you a good deal."

The three of them suddenly vanish, leaving Freya standing on her own and slightly worried about her health.

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Hunith walked into Alice's chamber and set down the herbs she had been out collecting, she had set out at dawn and had collect all the herds she and Alice needed. Thankful a druid had been able to guide her back to the tower, after she got lost. How Merlin always went collect herbs for Gaius and made it back in time to serve Arthur was a mystery, but then Merlin was always saying he was being yelled at for being slightly late.

"Alice are you here?" Hunith called.

"Yes, yes," Alice answered, appearing from behind a pile of books she was in the process of sorting. "You got the herbs, thank you Hunith."

Hunith smiled. "I did, I was wondering if you had heard anything from Gaius lately?"

Alice shakes her head. "I have not heard from him since he was here last, why is something the matter?"

"No, no," Hunith answers. "I was just worried."

Alice smiled. "Gaius has nothing to fear from Arthur…. Arthur already knows about his magic and how he was an active sorcerer before the great purge."

Hunith smiles. "I can't help but worry for him, he is my brother... Our mother was so young when she had Gaius and then our father went for war, when he finally returned I was born not long after, but Gaius was already old enough to leave home... I should know by now, he always survives."

Suddenly Terrance bursts into the room. "Hunith! Alice! Merlin has returned from Avalon! The druids told me he would be back sometime today!"

Hunith smiled. "He's returned."

"The druids will no doubt be planning a celebration like no other." Alice smiled.

"The druids have said they are planning a druid hand fasting for Merlin and his wife in two days' time, do you think we'll be able to go?" Terrance asks, with a grin.

Alice smiled. "I believe we will…. Hunith will have to be there, she and Gaius are Merlin's only living blood relations."

"I'm sure you'll be able to go," Hunith reassures Terrance. "I think most people Merlin knows will be going."

Terrance smiles. "I've never been to a druid hand fasting before…. I've never been to a normal hand fasting before."

Alice smiled. "Then you better hope the druids let you attend."

Terrance thinks for a moment. "Will Merlin's friends from Camelot be going?"

Hunith glances at Terrance. "I don't think so, Camelot still punishes those with magic…. It would be too dangerous for anyone from Camelot to come here, any who are found to have attended could be accused by the council of treason."

"But Gaius is from Camelot," Terrance points out. "And you said he was coming."

Alice nodes. "He is Merlin's uncle, he would never betray Merlin."

"Arthur and the knights wouldn't betray Merlin either," Hunith adds. "But there are many in Camelot that would wish to see my son dead…. Many of whom could follow them here. Gaius is wise and no one would be suspect him, it is not uncommon for a physician leaving the city, for a couple of days."

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Merlin and Freya stood in the shade of the trees that surrounded the lake of Avalon, they had returned to the mortal realm.

Merlin smiled and gripped Freya's hand. "There is something I want to show you."

"What so you want to show me?"

"It's a surprise."

Freya smiled. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't going to end well?"

Merlin laughed. "If something goes wrong I can promise you, it won't be my fault."

"So where are we going?" Freya asks, as they start making their way through the forest.

Merlin grins. "I told you: it's a surprise."

Freya glanced round. "What type of surprise?"

"The good type, I hope," Merlin mutters. "I want you to meet someone…. Well sort of meet them…. Well as close as you can get to meeting them in this world, anyway."

"And why do we have to do this now?" Freya asks. "Why not latter?"

"I don't know when we will be passing this close go Camelot again."

Freya stares at Merlin for a moment. "We're going to Camelot? Magic is still outlawed in Camelot! They'll kill us!"

Merlin shakes his head. "You'll be fine, Freya, no one knows who you are. When you were last in Camelot, only Arthur and a handful of knights saw you, most of whom are dead!"

"Dead?" Freya asks. "What happened?"

"Did you not see Kilgharrah attack the city, after I released him?"

Freya shakes her head. "I did not, I hadn't learnt how to scry at the time... I heard about it though."

"Most of them died in that battle." Merlin answers. "Anyway even if Arthur were to see you I doubt he'd remember you…. Even if he did, he wouldn't think it was you…. He believes you to be dead."

Freya nodes. "What about you, then? You have worked as Arthur's servant for close to four years and you worked for Gaius the same amount of time, everyone is going to know you!"

Merlin nodes. "But that also gives me the advantage, I know this city better than most. I have to, I know most the secret passages leading in and out of the castle. I know the time table the guards and patrols follow, slipping in and out of the castle unseen is the easy part."

"What's the hard part?" Freya asks.

Merlin smiled. "Remaining unseen once inside the castle."

"You hide from guard all the time," Freya mutters. "You must do, your always sneaking around saving the city, of all your deeds I have seen and all those you have told be about, you always remain unseen."

Merlin smiled. "That is true, but the Camelot guards are not the people we have to worry about…. I was informed by the Sidhe this morning that, the day after tomorrow, king Sarrum will be arriving in Camelot to take council with Arthur…. Sarrum is no fool, he would have sent spies ahead of him. His hatred for magic was only ever matched by Uthur. News that king Arthur man servant had magic would have travelled fast, he'll no doubt send spies to see if any other sorcerer's lurk with in Camelot's walls."

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Gilli stood sharpening his sword, at the edge of the training grounds. Beside him, Tyr was also sharpening weapons. A pile on either side of him, weapons that had been sharpened and weapons that were yet to be sharpen.

"Are you just going to sharpen your own weapon Gilli?" Tyr asks, as he places a weapon down and picks another. "The whole army is going to need sharp weapons."

Gilli glances at Tyr. "If everyone sharpened their own weapons there would be no problems."

Tyr rolled his eyes. "These Gilli are spare weapons, replacement weapons…. Say you are fighting and your sword was destroyed by an orc, you'll need a new weapon."

"Yeah," Gilli replies. "But if I'm in the middle of a battle field, possible miles from the closest allied camp, how am I going to be able to get one of these replacement swords and weapons."

"No, you're just lazy, Gilli." A voice behind them muttered.

Gilli turned. "And what would you know, Eira?"

Eira smiled. "I know that if we do not supply spare weapons, we will run out of weapons."

"See," Tyr nodes. "Eira understands the workings of battle."

Eira sits down beside Tyr and begins to help him sharpen the weapons. "We are going into battle Gilli, it's not single combat. You protect those you fight beside and they protect you, you're not fighting alone, you're fighting as a team."

Gilli sighs. "The first time I ever fought as part of a team was when Merlin ask for help killing the change-wings…. Even then it was pretty much single combat... I have never fought in an army before."

"Then you better learn, in this coming battle everyone looks out for each other. You keep yourself alive and you keep the people around you alive." Tyr explains.

"And you can start working as a team, by sharpening some of these weapons." Eira explained.

Gilli looks at her before putting down his sword. "Pass us one then."

Eira smirks and passes him a weapon to sharpen, a broad sword. As Gilli begins to, sharpen it, he glances round. The training field was completely empty.

"Hey, Tyr," Gilli grins. "Want to get in some last minute practice?"

Tyr shakes his head. "I still have loads weapons to sharpen. Why don't you fight Eira? She hasn't been able to find anyone to train with today."

Gilli glances at Eira. "There is no way I'm fighting her."

"Why?" Eira asks. "Scared you'll lose."

"No," Gilli snaps. "You're a women."

Eira grins. "You're scared you'll be beaten by a women…. Remember Gilli I have beaten you before, it won't make much of a difference."

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Merlin muttered a spell and the metal gate he always used to sneak into the castle flies open with a creak. He turned to Freya and held out his hand, which she quickly takes. They quickly walk along the tunnel, leading into the heart of the city.

"Do many people know about this tunnel?" Freya asks.

Merlin nodes. "I fear many people know about it."

"So why don't they use it?"

"Because to pull the gate off would cause a lot of noise," Merlin answers. "The guards would hear. Most who try to kill the king sneak into the castle, assassin wouldn't know about unless those who hired them do. And sorcerers wishing to seek revenge just use magic and go through the main gate."

Freya nodes. "You've placed an enchantment on these tunnels haven't you?"

Merlin smiled. "Yes, on this one I have, but there are siege tunnels I haven't enchanted…. It uses a lot of magic to create wards."

"When did you start placing protection wards on Camelot?"

Merlin smiled. "Just after I finished placing wards on Sigan's tomb."

"Sigan? Couldn't you just destroy his soul?" Freya answers. "I know the spirit world has been awaiting his soul for a long time."

Merlin nodes. "But there is no way to take his soul to the spirit world…. Whoever breaks his heart, completes his work. To removes the jewel which contains his soul would only release him and whoever released him would become possessed."

"Maybe the Cailleach would be able to do something about it, she is the gate keeper to the spirit world."

Merlin shakes his head. "It would be too much of a risk and would require a lot of magic, the Cailleach only appears in this world when the veil is torn."

Merlin suddenly stops and Freya almost walks into him. "What is it?" Freya asks.

"We're here," Merlin mutters. "All we need to do is get past the guards…. Which shouldn't take too long."

Merlin shut his eyes for a moment before muttering a spell and opening his eyes, which burned gold. The guards weapons picked themselves up before disappearing off along the oppose corridor, the guards shared look before running after their weapons.

Freya smiled. "You would have though a kingdom that hates magic would train its guards better."

"No," Merlin laughed. "You would think the guards would be clever enough to work out when something is magic."

Merlin quickly led the way along the corridor and towards some steps leading down into an unknown place below the city. He pulls an unlit torch from the wall and quickly lights it with a flash of his eyes.

"It's down here?" Freya asks looking down the tunnel.

Merlin nodes. "It used to be the cave where Kilgharrah was held prisoner by Uthur."

"So who could are we meeting in this cave, where the great dragon was once held prisoner?" Freya asks, as they begin to walk down the steps.

Merlin smiled sadly. "You won't be able to meet them in this realm Freya, but this is the closest I can get."

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Bercilak stood watching as Daegal treated the wound on Kara forearm, Sefa stood by the door watching for any movements outside. They had found shelter in an abandoned house to close to the border.

"What were those thing?"s Kara asks, wanting to break the silence.

Daegal finishes cleaning Kara's wound. "I don't know, but the weapon it used is like nothing I have ever seen before."

Sefa looks round from her spot by the door. "I think they were Orcs."

"Orcs?" Kara asks. "Why would there be Orcs here? Mordred's army is gathered on the plains of Camlann."

Bercilak shakes his head. "Anyone who believes Mordred is only going to fight us on the plains of Camlann, are fools. Mordred is going to try and destroy us before we even move."

"Why now though?" Daegal asks. "Why not when he first created his army?"

"Maybe he wasn't strong enough until now." Sefa mutters, turning to watch outside again.

Bercilak shakes his head. "No, Mordred simply believes we're not prepared for an attack."

Daegal shakes his head. "I don't think this was Mordred plan, it didn't seem organised enough. I saw the battle plans Mordred has, when they were first delivered to the council... That wasn't anything like the plans he had, the Orcs that attacked us, followed no plan."

Sefa glances at Daegal. "Daegal's right, if this had been Mordred attack, we would be dead. Mordred would have organised an attack we couldn't escape from alive…. There is only four of us after all."

"Then who could have done it?" Kara asks. "I'm sure I saw the crest of Mordred the dark on the amour od the Orcs."

"Mordred had a traitor working in our court didn't he?" Daegal speaks up after a moment. "Jared? Was his name Jared? Do you think he could be doing this?"

"Shh!" Sefa hisses. "I saw something move."

Bercilak quickly moves across the room and joins Sefa by the door. Daegal quickly finishes wrapping the bandage around Kara arm and picks up one of his throwing knives, before joining Bercilak and Sefa by the door.

"Are you sure?" Bercilak whispers. "I can't see anything."

"I definitely saw something." Sefa hisses.

Daegal quickly points to something just throw the tree line. "I just saw something, through there."

Bercilak shakes his head. "I didn't see anything, what was it?"

Sefa glances at the tree line. "All I saw was a flash of light."

Daegal nodes. "Like a bolt of lightning."

"Must be magic," Kara mutters. "Whoever or whatever it is, it isn't an Orc. Orcs don't have magic."

Suddenly the sound of twigs snapping can be heard, all four of them grip there weapons, suddenly a young women with dark brown hair stumbles out od the tree line.

"Lady Freya." Bercilak gasps.

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Hey hoped you liked that chapter. Next up is the darkest hour part one and two, it should be up with in the next couple of days.

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.