Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter fifty-three: The sword in the stone part one and two.
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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 man, his name... Merlin.
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In the kings' chamber, Arthur is getting inpatient, as Merlin is taking ages in getting him his belt. Moving from behind the screen, Arthur finds Merlin making another hole in his belt. Arthur tells Merlin not to say a word of what he has done to anyone and Merlin agree, after all he's good at keeping secrets. Elsewhere Agravaine, knocks out the guards with a smoke bomb and signals to Morgana and Helios, that they can begin the attack. As the feast starts, Arthur notices Agravaine is missing and comments to Gaius about it. As Merlin brings Arthur his food, he jokes about Arthur's belt causing Percival to almost choke on his drink. Agravaine leads the attack on the castle from the tunnels as Arthur and Merlin talk about Gwen, unaware of what's happening below the castle. And so the attack on Camelot begins.
"Yeah," Gwaine mutters. "Merlin is good at keeping secrets, but only the ones he wants to keep."
Arthur rolls his eyes. "Merlin just couldn't miss the chance to embarrass me."
"It's fine for you, I almost choked on my wine." Percival mutters, failing to hide a smile.
Leon shakes his head. "They planned that attack well, once it started their was nothing we could do to stop it."
"They overrun the castle in a matter if minutes." Elyan agrees.
"You didn't stand a chance," Tristan mutters. "How did you even get out the castle?"
In the lower town, Leon and Elyan are trying to help put out fires. When both of them see hundreds of men charging towards them. Gwaine appears at the feast and warns everyone the castle is under attack. Arthur quickly gives out orders. Elsewhere Elyan finds Agravaine and goes to kill him, but Morgana knocks him out with magic. In the castle Merlin is helping Gaius, before he runs off to find Arthur, knowing Morgana and his uncle will go after him first. Elsewhere Arthur and the knights are fighting their way through the castle, while Morgana and Helios are fighting their way up through the town towards the castle. Leon leads the people towards the woods and Merlin finds Arthur just as he injure, as he gets Arthur out the way, be casts a spell stopping the enemy from following them. As they pass the court-yard, Arthur sees Agravaine along side Morgana and Helios and Merlin only just manages to stop him from attacking them right that moment.
"Leading the people was all I could do, to save lives," Leon explains. "Staying to fight, would have saved no one."
Arthur nodes. "Some time retreating is the best course of action... You saved the lives of many people, the city was already lost."
"Agravaine is a coward," Elyan mutters. "He couldn't even fight me in a fair fight."
Gwen frowns, slightly. "Most of the spells we've seen Merlin use in battle have used fire, why is that."
"It's his main element as a dragon lord and a sudden explosion on fire in the middle of a battle is not uncommon, but men being thrown through the air would draw more attention." Gaius explains.
"It would draw unwanted attention," Percival agree. "And the enemy would know who to target."
Gwaine grins. "Good thing he's never been caught then, huh?"
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Back in the castle Morgana is sitting on the throne, when Helios enter and informs her, Arthur has no where left to run. Elsewhere, Gaius looks at Arthur injuries, when Gwaine and Percival enter and shut the doors, warning them they have minutes before they'll get caught. Knowing Arthur will never leave the castle of his own free will, Merlin casts a spell on Arthur taking away his free will. Percival takes Arthur while, Gwaine stays behind to buy them more time. At first Merlin refuses to go, unless Gaius goes with him, but Gwaine forces him to leave and Gaius and Gwaine wait for the room they're in to be taken. In the woods they find Elyan and they quickly keep on running, Merlin tells them Ealdor will be safe and they agree to go there. Suddenly Merlin tells them to stop and listen, the sound of horses and through the mist Agravaine appears, leading a group of Southrons. Forcing them all to run.
"Morgana really hates you," Isolde mutters. "How Merlin's kept you alive this long is a miracle."
"She hated me all because I didn't lift the ban on magic and wanted the throne... But she did nothing to show me the good magic can do." Arthur mutters.
Percival nodes. "She used magic for her own personal gain, not for the good of others."
Arthur turns and glares at Gaius. "You shouldn't have let Merlin do that."
"It was the only way to get you out of Camelot safely," Gaius explains. "If Merlin hadn't done that spell you would have stayed in Camelot and Morgana would have killed you."
"HE TOOK AWAY MY FREE WILL!" Arthur yells. "What if Morgana had caught me? Or Agravaine? All they could have done was order me to fall on my sword and it would have been over."
"I trusted in Merlin's ability to keep you safe." Gaius answers.
But Morgana is with Agravaine and she uses magic to throw them forward, Merlin, Arthur and Elyan get to their feet and Percival is no where in sight. They run, as they come to a trench and Elyan hands Merlin a sword and tells him to keep going with Arthur. Once Merlin and Arthur are safe, Merlin decides Arthur needs to change, he stands out too much. Back in Camelot, Agravaine informs Morgana they have control of Camelot, but the people still refuse to swear alliance to Morgana. Morgana orders for their crops to be burnt, as punishment. Suddenly Elyan is bought in and forced to his knees before Morgana, who plans to find out where Arthur has gone. Elsewhere Arthur changing his cloths, while Merlin waits and when Arthur appears, Merlin can't help but laugh. And soon finds the simpleton Arthur a bit unnerving.
"Where did you go?" Elyan asks.
"I woke up hidden in the undergrowth later that night... I think it was that night." Percival adds.
Gaius nodes. "Her spell knocked you out."
"She burnt the people's crops!" Tristan exclaimed, shocked. "Did she even care about the people?"
Arthur shakes his head. "She wanted the throne and she didn't care how she claimed it."
Everyone laughs as they see Arthur.
Gwaine grins. "How, when you are a simpleton, can you dress yourself; but when you're the king you can't?"
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Back in Camelot Morgana uses a Nathair, to torture Elyan. Agravaine and Helios wait outside as Elyan screams echo around the hall. Morgana soon appears and orders Agravaine to go to Ealdor and catch Arthur and bring him back to Camelot. Morgana then warns Agravaine if he fails her again, he'll be taking Elyan place. In the dungeons, Elyan is thrown into a cell with Gwaine and Gaius. Gaius quickly explains to Gwaine what has happened. Elsewhere in the castle, Morgana is reading some reports and Agravaine appears and warns her to be cautious and then leaves to find Arthur. Elsewhere Merlin and Arthur come across Tristan and Isolde, who let them travel with them, after Merlin offers them gold. But they do not take kindly to Merlin and Arthur at first, Merlin is even forced to duck out the way of a knife.
"I've never heard of a... Nathair serpent?" Arthur speaks.
"They torture a person to the limits of their endurance," Gaius answers. "Elyan is lucky to be alive."
"Well," Leon mutters. "Agravaine took a lot of men with him... He really didn't want to fail Morgana."
"I thought you let Merlin travel with because you knew him?" Gwen speaks.
Tristan snorts. "Do you think we just let people travel with us because they gold? Many thief's have tried to buy their way into our goods and so have knights trying to catch us... The gold was just an added extra."
"Well I must admit, Arthur," Isolde smiles. "I'm slightly relieved to know your not a complete simpleton."
As Merlin explains why Arthur is a simpleton, Tristan doesn't seem too surprised Merlin 'looks after' him. Elsewhere Agravaine finds Arthur armour and clothing and quickly picks up Merlin and Arthur's trail. As they stop for the night, Merlin works out there smugglers and they simply tell him they're too quick for half-wit king of Camelot. Merlin soon finds Arthur hugging a tree. That night Merlin makes Arthur wash up the pots for once and can't help but laugh as Arthur trips over. Agravaine and the Southrons don't stop for the night and draw closer and closer to where Merlin and Arthur are. The following morning, Arthur has returned to normal and kicks Merlin awake and demands to know what's going on. Merlin tells him Camelot has fallen and they're on their way to Ealdor. And Arthur is soon complaining about how he's dressed and Merlin tells him to keep in character, as a simpleton. As their about to leave Tristan notices the sword, Arthur is now carrying and gets suspicious.
"Why was Merlin looking after me, so easy to believe?" Arthur demands. "I can take care of myself."
"Because Merlin's right, you wouldn't survive a day without him." Percival points out.
Everyone laughs as they see Arthur hugging a tree.
"Merlin never going to let you live that one down," Elyan laughs. "I don't think we will either."
Tristan shakes his head. "We lost a lot helping you... But me and Isolde are still together and that's all that matters."
"And I cannot thank you enough for your help." Arthur answers.
"How did you beat Agravaine?" Gwaine asks. "He had a lot of men with him."
"Merlin lost them in the cave." Arthur answers. "I'm guessing he used magic to lose them or possible trap them."
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Suddenly the camp is attacked by Agravaine and the Southrons. Arthur and Merlin quickly grab a crossbow each and cover Triage and Isolde as they run for the cover of the trees. Arthur and Merlin both take out two Southrons each with crossbows, before joining Tristan and Isolde in the cover of the trees. Tristan works out the people who attacked them were after Arthur, who is forced to explain he's king Arthur Pendragon of Camelot and as they argue, Merlin spots Southrons running towards them and everyone is forced to fight. Arthur saves Isolde's life, after she injured and Tristan reminds Isolde of the promise they both made. Tristan and Isolde agree to travel with Arthur and Merlin, but only because Isolde needs treatment and triage makes how he fells about Arthur quite clear.
"Merlin's not bad with a crossbow," Leon nodes. "With a bit more training he wouldn't be a half bad archer."
"He doesn't need mortal weapons." Percival points out.
Gaius shakes his head. "Merlin can not always rely on his magic... There are many spells which can stop a sorcerer using their magic."
"Well," Gwaine mutters turning to Tristan. "You're not a lover of nobles, that's for sure."
"I like to think I judge a man on his actions, not into which family he is born." Tristan answers.
Elyan frowns, before speaking up. "You were quick to judge Arthur."
Back in Camelot, Gwaine is looking around the cell, he, Gaius and Elyan are being held in. Suddenly there is a noise from outside the cell and Morgana along with two Southrons appear. She offers Gwaine a deal, he can get some food for Gaius, just as long as he's prepared to sing for it. As Gwaine is dragged from the cell, Elyan, who has recovered, gets to his feet, but there is little he can do. Elsewhere Merlin, Arthur, Isolde and Tristan have reached the border with king Lot's kingdom. Merlin quickly helps Isolde, as they find a place to camp and Tristan and Arthur are still not getting along. Back in Camelot, Gwaine is forced to fight a Southron, in order to get food. Back at the border to Lot's kingdom, Merlin has set up camp and as Isolde and Tristan sleep, Arthur works out Merlin knew Agravaine was betraying him. Merlin quickly says he had his suspicions, but didn't know for sure. Merlin and Arthur talk and Arthur can't understand why Morgana and Agravaine hate him so much, he cared about them.
Leon shakes his head. "Singing for your supper? Talk about kicking someone when they're down."
"I couldn't let Gaius stave," Gwaine mutters. "I had to fight, if I didn't Gaius would have died of hunger."
"Like Morgana would have cared, she just wanted entertainment." Percival points out.
"Thank you, Gwaine." Gaius speaks up. "If you hadn't fought for food, I wouldn't have lasted more than a couple of days."
Arthur snorts. "Merlin knew Agravaine was the traitor from the moment he asked Gaius who Emrys was."
"He was trying not to wound your pride," Elyan smiles. "He knew you were upset about all that had happened and he didn't want to make it worse."
"He's a good friend." Gwen smiled.
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Back in Camelot, Gwaine fights and wins, even after he loses his weapon. But his victory only wins him a loaf of bread and as Morgana tells him, he's going to have to do better than that if he wants more. In Ealdor, Merlin, Arthur, Isolde and Tristan have just entered the village. Merlin is soon greeted by his mother. Later that night, Merlin has finished treating Isolde wounds and Tristan thanks him for all his help. After Merlin has gone, Arthur apologies to Tristan, for brining this misfortune upon him and Tristan is simply glad he still has Isolde. Later that night Agravaine orders the Southrons to surround the village, telling them no one must escape.
"Not one of my most honourable fights," Gwaine mutters. "But it got the job done."
Gaius smiles a small smile. "If Merlin was not destined for greater things, I sure he would have been the court physician, after I have passed on."
"Which will not be for many years, I am sure." Gwen smiles.
Tristan smiles as he takes Isolde's hand. "I would give up everything for Isolde... To have nearly lost her... I'll be forever grateful to Merlin for saving her."
"Agravaine..." Arthur mutters shaking his head.
Back in the village, Merlin and his mother talk as they walk and Merlin apologies for not coming to visit. Hunith, tells her son she worries about him, with all the dangers he must face. Merlin tells his mother not to worry, but its a mother job to worry about their children or child in Hunith case. As they stop walking, Merlin asks how Gwen has been and Hunith tells him, a broken heart takes time to mend. Gwen has just finished rearranging Arthur bandages, when he wakes to see Gwen sitting beside him and the two of them hug. Outside Merlin and his mother are still talking, when screams sound and Merlin tells his mother, Agravaine has found them. As Arthur, Gwen, Isolde and Tristan flee round the back of the village, Merlin stays behind and casts a spell, causing a cart to start moving and catch fire. Agravaine only just jumps out the way in time. But he spots Arthur, Merlin and the others fleeing the village. And so the Southrons case them through the forest, away from the village.
"Hunith," Gaius smiles, upon seeing his sister. "It has been too long since I last spoke to her... We spoke briefly at the tower, but not for as long as I would have liked, we have a lot of catching up to do... She'll never stop worrying about Merlin, even I can't help but worry about him. The trouble he gets himself into!"
Gwen smiles. "I am glad Hunith let me stay with her."
"Why Ealdor? The last time you saw Hunith was, when she came to Camelot after I was bitten by a questing beast." Arthur asks.
"After Merlin told you about Agravaine stealing the siege tunnel plans, he came back and found me," Gwen explains. "He told me to go to Ealdor, that his mother would take me in and it would be safe there... Merlin and I both knew Morgana had the plans to the siege tunnels, we both knew Camelot was not going to be safe for much longer... Going over the border was the safest option."
Gwaine grins. "And the perfect chance to get you and Arthur back together."
"Shut up, Gwaine." Arthur mutters, who was finding it slightly unnerving that Merlin seemed to have a plan for everything.
"How did you escape Agravaine and his men?" Elyan asks. "You had quite a lot following you."
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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 man, his name... Merlin.
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Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Isolde and Tristan run through the forest. The Southrons and Agravaine were not far behind, were even gaining on them. Knowing they cannot outrun them for much longer, Merlin tells everyone to keep going and he'll cover their tracks. As soon as Arthur and the others are out of ear shot, Merlin summons the great dragon. As Agravaine and the Southrons enter a clearing, the great dragon drops from the sky and breathes fire over most of the men. Only Agravaine and a handful of men escape with their lives. Merlin quickly catches up with Arthur and the others, not knowing Agravaine and some men escaped the dragons attack.
Everyone stared at the screen in shock, all but Gaius, who knew Merlin really would do anything to save those he cared about.
"He..." Arthur begins. "He just ordered a dragon to kill close to fifty men."
"He had no choice. If he hadn't we'd all be dead, Morgana didn't want us alive, she only wanted you Arthur. Agravaine would have had us killed." Tristan answers.
Isolde nodes her agreement. "I would do what ever it takes to keep the people I care about safe."
"He saved our lives Arthur," Gwen speaks up, she is shocked but she understood why Merlin did it. "It's no different to you ordering your knights or your army, to kill those who attack and kill your people... Merlin was protecting us with the only weapon he knew would work."
"I know..." Arthur mutters. "I just never thought Merlin would be capable of ordering the deaths of so many people... Sure he's killed, but never on that scale."
As Merlin leads Arthur and the others into the caves, the great dragon flies round for a second attack and Agravaine and his men are forced to flee to the caves Merlin and the others have just entered. As they walk Gwen and Tristan talk and Gwen tells Tristan Arthur is a great king. Elsewhere Agravaine is gaining on them. Upon hearing Agravaine following them, Merlin goes back to leading them away and keep the others safe. Before Merlin goes, Arthur warns him not to do anything stupid. Merlin runs back through the tunnels, before jumping into Agravaine's path, with a cheery hello and runs. But Merlin runs into a dead-end and Agravaine and his men corner him.
Gwaine shakes his head. "That's quite an achievement, be able to out run a dragon."
"It is, but they run straight to where Arthur, Gwen, Isolde, Tristan and Merlin were." Percival points out.
"I've got a feeling this isn't going to end well for Agravaine." Elyan mutters.
Leon nodes. "There's no way Agravaine will be able to kill Merlin... Merlin's magic is just too strong."
"Merlin is he strongest sorcerer who has ever lived or will ever live," Taliesin speaks up. "It takes more than a mortal weapon to kill him."
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Agravaine thinks he has Merlin trapped and asks him where Arthur is, Merlin just tells him to be careful. Agravaine threatens to kill Merlin, but Merlin doesn't think so, as Agravaine charges at Merlin, Merlin uses magic to throw Agravaine and his men backwards. But as Merlin goes to leave, Agravaine gets back to his feet. Agravaine works out Merlin's Emrys, Merlin simply tells him that's what the druids call him and Agravaine knows it's been Merlin protecting Arthur all this time. He tells Merlin they are more alike than they think, they have both lied to Arthur. as Agravaine approaches Merlin, Merlin raises his hands in warning and Agravaine backs of slightly. Without warning Agravaine tries to run Merlin through with a dagger, but Merlin's magic reacts on instinct and Agravaine is thrown back once more, but this time he dies.
"Some how I don't think trapping Merlin is a good idea." Elyan mutters.
Gwaine nodes. "He'll just be able to blast through them with magic and escape, or turn them all into toads, or-"
"Shut up, Gwaine!" Arthur snaps.
"He didn't use a spell," Percival points out. "He just blasted them back without even moving."
"He is powerful." Leon agrees.
"He killed my uncle," Arthur mutters. "He killed the traitor... For that I am thankful, in a way. As much as I wanted to kill my uncle, he was family... I don't think I could have done it."
Elsewhere in the caves, Arthur decides to go back and find Merlin, much to the surprise of Tristan and pride of Gwen. Arthur quickly makes his way back to where Merlin had left them, he stops back against the wall and waits hearing someone walking towards him. He's just about to jump out when he sees its Merlin. Merlin knows Arthur came back to look for him even if he won't admit it. As they all make it out of the caves, Arthur not sure what he should do, Merlin thinks they should head back towards Camelot... If anyone had survived the battle they would be hiding in the woods there. Tristan again, does not act kindly to Arthur and Arthur decides to do what Merlin said. And so they set off, walking in the direction of Camelot.
"You do care." Gwaine grins.
"Of course I do, he's my best friend," Arthur snaps. "And he was a half decent servant, there hard to come by... I want to waste time training a new servant."
"Unable to give Merlin a complement, huh?" Elyan mutters.
Arthur glares at Elyan. "That was complement."
Percival shakes his head. "You really need to work on your complements."
"Well, my lord, you're still going to have to train a new servant," Leon points out. "Unless of course George takes Merlin's place."
"Don't remind me about him." Arthur groans.
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Back in Camelot, Gaius is growing weaker as Elyan tries to offer encouragement. Suddenly the cells doors are thrown open and Elyan tries to stop them from dragging Gwaine away, but is unable to. Morgana forces Gwaine to fight with a small wooden sword sharpened into a point, Gwaine just shrugs and prepares to fight. Elsewhere Gwen and Isolde sit on the forest floor, sharpening weapons, when Arthur walks past. As Arthur begins collecting fire wood, Tristan once again mocks him on the fact he's no longer king. As Tristan hands Merlin the fire wood, who setting up a fire next to Gwen and Isolde, Gwen notices Arthur is upset and goes after him. But he tells her what happened in Ealdor was a moment of weakness and that it can not happen again.
Leon raises an eyebrow looking at Gwaine. "You won fighting with a wooden sword?"
"What can I say," Gwaine answers. "I'm just full lf surprises."
Elyan glances at Arthur. "You stopped your marriage with Mithian just so you could be with Gwen and then you turn Gwen away!"
"I had a lot on my mind, I just couldn't deal with what I would have to go through in order to forgive Gwen." Arthur answers.
"What happened between you and Gwen, happened in the past." Gaius speaks up. "It is your future you must work for. To relive the past will get you nowhere in the future."
Back in Camelot Gwaine has won his fight and Morgana gives them a single loath of bread and warns them it will be their last. Gaius refuses to eat, telling Elyan, if Gwaine is to fight again he'll need all the strength he can get. Back in the forest, Merlin tries to cheer Arthur up, but Arthur tell Merlin Tristan is right, there's nothing special about him. Arthur leaves after telling Merlin the people will have to find a new king. As soon as night has fallen, Merlin finds a clearing and summons the great dragon. After thanking Kilgharrah for his help, Merlin tells him Arthur has lost the will to fight and no longer believes he should be king. Kilgharrah tells Merlin he must make Arthur believe in himself once more or Camelot will fall and when Merlin asks how, he doesn't get a straight answers. But once Merlin thinks about he comes up with a plan, Merlin asks Kilgharrah if he can find those who fled Camelot and Kilgharrah answers he can, so they have no time to lose.
"You gave up?" Elyan questions. "We never gave up hope, that you would free us!"
"I know." Arthur answers. "But to me, all hope seemed lost."
Percival shakes his head slightly. "I'm just glad Merlin never gave up."
"As am I," Leon answers. "That night he found me and told me where to meet him the following day and to gather as many people as I could find."
"What was Merlin's plan?" Gwaine asks.
Gwen smiles. "To make Arthur believe he was the king the people knew him to be."
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The following morning Merlin wakes Arthur up and tells him, there is something he needs to show him. As they walk Merlin tells him a story about a king who placed a sword in a stone and how only the true king of Camelot could pull it out. After Arthur tells Merlin the story is a load of rubbish, Merlin shows Arthur Excalibur, sticking out of a rock, in the middle of a clearing. As Merlin and Arthur approach the stone, everyone who escaped Camelot and Morgana step from the trees. Merlin quickly tells Arthur he's the true king and he is able to pull the sword from the stone, when Arthur questions what Merlin is planning. Arthur draws his own sword and stabs it into the forest floor before walking and standing before the stone.
Gaius shakes his head. "I would have been more surprised is that boy had said it wasn't a story I had told him."
"You are the only knowledgeable person on such myths," Leon answer. "If anyone was to know of a story lost in the great purge it would be you."
"Plus, Merlin couldn't really tell Arthur how the sword ended up in the stone." Gwaine adds.
Percival shakes his head. "Merlin could have told the truth... Arthur would never have believed him."
"Merlin used magic didn't he?" Arthur asks.
After Merlin tells Arthur to have faith, after a failed attempt to pull the sword free, Arthur truly believes he can do it and Merlin releases the spell he cast to embed the sword in the stone and Arthur pulls it free with ease. As the knight and people of Camelot chant 'long live the king', Merlin smiles to himself, with a slight node, he had done his job and Arthur once again had faith in himself. Back in Camelot, Helios has just informed Morgana of what happened to Agravaine and the men with him. Morgana knows this is the work of Emrys. Back in the forest, Arthur walks with Merlin, Percival, Leon and Isolde, while Tristan listens from the place he stands by a tree. Leon tells Arthur, it's not Camelot the people fight for, it's him. Percival, Leon and Merlin all agree they would ride into the mouth of hell for him. Isolde and Tristan share a look.
"Is their actually anything I've done on my own?" Arthur asks. "Or has Merlin helped with everything I do?"
"Do you want the honest answer?" Gwaine laughs.
Arthur glares at Gwaine. "Shut up, Gwaine."
"You asked princess." Gwaine grins.
Arthur smiles slightly. "What have I done to deserve such loyalty from all of you?"
"You are our king, Arthur," Gwen answers. "You put the people first and you protect them no matter the odds. And it return the people give you their love and their respect."
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Later that night, Isolde who is cleaning the wound on her arm, is given a bunch of flowers by Tristan as he walks past. She notices Gwen watching and quickly goes after her and they talk. Isolde notices Gwen is watching Arthur and tells her to never give up hope, love is stronger than anything. Across the camp, Merlin catches up with Arthur and they talk. Arthur tells Merlin it's Morgana they have to worry about, not the Southrons... After all the Southrons do not have magic. Merlin tells Arthur there was another part of Gaius's story, the king who pulled the sword from the stone would unite the land of Albion. That night while everyone is asleep, Merlin leaves the camp, a knowing and determined smile on his face.
"Nothing to answer Morgana's power with!" Gwaine exclaimed. "We have the mighty Emrys on our side."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "If I had known about Merlin's magic, I wouldn't have been as worried..."
"You would have been worried for Merlin though." Elyan points out.
"I can't help but worry about Merlin," Arthur answers. "We all worry about Merlin."
Gwen nodes. "Even though Merlin's powerful, he had no one to watch his back... He has no one to protect him, like he protects us."
Not long after Merlin has left the camp, Merlin hides from a Southron patrol, before entering the castle through a siege tunnel. Once inside he casts a spell to turn himself into Dragoon the great and makes his way through the castle. As Dragoon makes his way through the castle, he's spotted by Morgana, who panics. Helios and some guards quickly chase after Dragoon. The alarm bell is soon sounding and Merlin quickly loses Helios and the guards, he knew Camelot castle far better than they did. He enters Morgana's chamber and pulls out a stew doll and quickly casts a spell on it. Returning to the corridor, Merlin quickly takes the cloths off the guard he knocked out. Helios and some guards run down the stairs, whilst a lone Southron walks up them, who actually turns out to be Merlin in disguise.
"Now Merlin's ever really brave or really stupid," Leon mutters. "I don't know many who would risk entering an enemy castle on their own."
Gwaine grins. "I must admit, even I would think twice about doing that on my own."
"You can think!" Elyan couldn't help but mock.
"Morgana really fears him, doesn't she?" Tristan mutters. "Merlin probably could have just scared Morgana out of Camelot."
"She has ever right to fear him," Taliesin speaks up. "Emrys is her doom."
Arthur shakes his head. "Disguising yourself as the enemy, that is the oldest trick in the book."
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After Helios convinces Morgana to get some sleep, Morgana lies down on her bed and is completely unaware it will lead to her down fall. Because under her bed is the straw doll Merlin enchanted, still whispering and smoking slightly. The following morning, Merlin stands almost in a trance like state as Arthur clicks his figures in front of his face and as soon as Arthur has walked away, Merlin returns to his trance like state. Elsewhere in the camp Tristan and Isolde approach Arthur and offer to fight at Arthur side, to say Arthur is pleased, is an understatement. Not long after that, Gwen approaches Arthur and tells him, if anything were to happen to either one of them, she just wanted him to know, she never stopped loving him. And so everyone stands ready to take back Camelot. Arthur raises his sword and the battle begins.
"What did that doll do?" Elyan asks, the last time they had seen a straw doll, was when Mary Collins killed lady Helen.
"The spell Merlin Emrys cast," Taliesin explains. "Bound Morgana's magic, meaning she was unable to use it."
Arthur nodes. "In the throne room Morgana was unable to do any magic."
"Why was Merlin so zoned out like that?" Gwen asks, concerned for his health.
"The spell Merlin used," Gaius explains. "He bound to his own power... With his magic being fed into a spell such a large distance away from him, it required more of his power and more of his focus."
Leon shakes his head. "Isn't that a nit dangerous?"
Leon with the help of some archers, take out the Southrons on watch. Percival with the help of Isolde and Tristan, take out the patrol within the city walls. Arthur, Gwen and Merlin take out the patrol outside the city walls. By the time the warning bell sounds, everyone fighting for Camelot is already within the castle walls. Helios quickly informs Morgana of Arthur return and they go to greet him. Tristan and Isolde fight side by side. Percival fights his way through any Southron that comes his way. Finally Percival and Leon reach the dungeons and free the knights being held there, as Percival frees Gwaine and Elyan he checks on Gaius who is still alive but only just. Elsewhere Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, Isolde and Tristan have made it to the throne room, where Morgana and Helios are waiting for them.
Gwaine grins. "Morgana never saw you coming."
"The element of surprise was out greatest weapon." Percival replies.
"And the fact we came up with a plan," Leon adds. "That made sure no scouts or patrols could warn Morgana or Helios about the attack."
Arthur nodes. "If the plan hadn't worked, retaking Camelot would have been a lot harder."
"Being trapped in a cell with me, isn't that bad." Gwaine pouts slightly.
"No, it isn't bad," Elyan agrees, jokingly. "It's horrible."
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Morgana and Arthur confront each other, Morgana warns Arthur not even Emrys can save him now, but as Morgana casts a spell, it doesn't work and Merlin smiles slightly as he shifts. The sudden increase of power needed to bind Morgana's magic, was what caused him to shift slightly and as Morgana casts another spell, she knows Emrys has done something. As Morgana flees, Arthur orders Gwen and Merlin to go after her, leaving him, Isolde and Tristan to fight Helios and the Southrons. As Morgana fights her way through the castle, she is injuries badly by a knight. Back in the throne room, Helios is about to kill Arthur, when Isolde stabs him from behind. But before Helios dies, he spins round and drives his sword into her side, in shock she turns to face Tristan before falling to the ground.
"Do you think she still would have gone after the throne, if the ban on magic had been lifted?" Elyan asks.
Leon shrugs. "I don't know... It's possible she might have."
"She wanted to free magic," Taliesin speaks up. "But her hate and her inner darkness would have driven her to claim the throne... The death of Morgause, destroyed the last of the goodness she had in her heart."
"But she is right... I didn't free magic when I became king. I never showed Morgana and her kind she was welcome in Camelot... I think there was some goodness left in her and if I had lifted the ban, maybe we could have got the old Morgana back." Arthur speaks up.
Tristan shakes his head. "Someone who burns the crops of innocent and defenceless people just because they refuse to swear alliance, has no goodness in their heart. She had the immortal army shot innocent people, to try and make the knights swear alliance... Someone who has goodness in their heart does not do that."
"Merlin ordered a dragon to kill close to a hundred men," Arthur points out. "How is that any different."
"Southrons are far from innocent," Tristan replies. "Death is too kind for most of them!"
Percival thinks for a moment. "I though high priestess couldn't be killed by moral blades?"
"They cannot," Taliesin answers. "There magic stops mortal weapons from harming them. But Morgana's power was bound to the doll, allowing her to be injured and killed."
"Helios nearly killed you Arthur, you were saved by Isolde... You've been beaten by a girl and saved by a girl." Elyan grins.
Elsewhere in the castle Gwen and Morgana have just come face to face with each other. As the two of them fight, Gwen asks Morgana what did she do to make Morgana hate her so much and Morgana simply tell Gwen she can never allow her to do, what she's destined to do. As Morgana goes to kill Gwen, she suddenly burst back, as part of the ceiling collapses. Merlin appears behind Gwen and asks her if she's alright, before walking forward to see what happened to Morgana, but she's gone. Gwen and Merlin return to the great hall, the knights of the round table and Gaius not far behind them. Merlin and Gaius share a look and Gaius shakes his head. Suddenly Merlin bolts from the room, telling the others he can save her. While Elyan and Leon are just confused, Isolde is dead.
Gwen shakes her head. "She wanted me dead, just because I'm destined to be queen."
"You are going to be queen." Elyan points out.
"And the greatest queen this land will ever know," Arthur adds, smiling slightly. "You are the once and future queen."
Gwaine grins. "How has Merlin never been caught? He was standing right behind Gwen, when he cast that spell."
"He didn't use a spell." Leon points out.
"Gwen would only have known if she turned round and saw him," Percival adds. "But with Morgana about to kill her, Gwen had more important things to worry about."
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Running Merlin heads straight for the dungeons, he orders the guards to bring a prisoner to the council hall and they do so, believing there acting under the kings orders. As Merlin explains to save a life a life must be taken, Gaius begs Merlin not to do this. Merlin takes Isolde's body from Tristan and moves to the centre of the hall, before resting her down. Summoning the cup of life, Merlin commands a storm to life outside and the weather is soon raging. A bolt of lightning bursts through the glass less window and bursts the prisoner to pile of ash. Once the cup has filled with rainwater, which was streaming through the windows, Merlin kneels down beside Isolde and trips the water into her mouth. After a couple of seconds Isolde starts breathing and Tristan rushes forward and once again takes Isolde in his arms.
"Why did the guards even think I ordered the prisoner to be bought to me?" Arthur asks. "We had just retaken Camelot, they had just returned to their posts and were sequencing Southrons that had been caught!"
"They couldn't not do what Merlin said, if they hadn't listened to Merlin and it had been your orders they would have been punished." Leon points out.
Elyan looks at Gaius. "You would have let Isolde die, just so Merlin didn't have to give away his secret?"
"To me Merlin's life will always be more important," Gaius answers. "I feared if Merlin saved Isolde he would have been killed."
"I wouldn't have let him die." Gwaine speaks up.
Gaius shakes his head. "At the time you were in no fit state to save him. You were half staved and only just supporting you're own weight, you physically wouldn't have had the strength."
As Tristan and Isolde talk, Merlin glances at Gaius, but looks at no one else. Suddenly Tristan yells Merlin's name as a hooded figure appears behind him. But before Merlin can do anything, he knocked out with a spell and Merlin and the hooded figure disappear in a whirlwind. Some time later after being taken from Camelot, Merlin groans as he opens his eyes and finds himself next to the bridge to the perilous lands. Grettir greets him and Merlin is given the task of restoring the perilous lands to their former state of health. And after being given the staff of Emrys by Grettir and greeted by Alator, the hooded figure who took him from Camelot, that what Merlin does.
"It was Alator," Isolde mutters. "He truly is loyal to Merlin."
"All those who believe in the prophecy will support Emrys," Taliesin speaks up. "There are not many who would risk facing Emrys in battle."
Everyone watches in shock as Merlin restores the perilous lands, the magic he used was powerful... Really, really, really powerful.
"The perilous lands," Gwen mutters. "How did he have the power, even with the staff, to restore it?"
"Merlin is the strongest sorcerer to have and will ever walk this earth," Gaius speaks up. "Even the prophecies do not state the limitations of his power. But Merlin is young, he still has a long way to go before he is the great warlock the prophecies speak of... To gain such knowledge will take a life time of study."
"Well he well on his way to becoming the greatest warlock..." Percival mutters, in awe.
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Hey, hope you liked that chapter. I'm glad to say I have just started writing 'Arthur's Bane - Part one' which will be published as soon as this story is completed, so look out for that if you're interested.
Blessed be,
TreeOfLife1997.