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Part 5
When Arthur woke up he remembered everything. He remembered the first time he met Merlin, he had called Arthur an ass. He remembered the first time Merlin saved his life. Every touch, every kiss...
Arthur looked around the room and smiled, shaking he head. It would seem that Merlin had not picked after himself, again. Oh, he was semi good at picking up after Arthur but never his own things.
Arthur changed into some clean clothes that he found in one of the cupboards. He remembered being here before so he knew his way around. Merlin had shown him around the place and when they wanted privacy they came here.
Everyone was in the main room of the cave. Gwen was cooking breakfast with Lance hovering around her.
There was no sign of Merlin or Ygraine. Arthur took a seat and Morgana sat next to him.
"They'll be back soon," Morgana said. "Merlin's never let you down before."
"I take it you remember," Arthur said dryly. Morgana smirked.
"You too, I see," Morgana smirked.
Arthur scowled back at her.
Gwen served them breakfast and they ate. Uther was in fowl mood and nobody talked to him. Gaius made some heroic attempts but after several snappy answers Gaius wisely gave up. It was clear that he was worried about Ygraine.
After breakfast, Gwaine suggested that they get some fresh air, instead being hold up in the cave. They walked out and Gwaine walked down the lake nearby.
They were just sitting, waiting, when Freya suddenly came stumbling through the bushes. She was panting and looked dishevelled.
"Are you OK?" Gaius asked when she reached them.
"Fine, finally lost Sigan," Freya said. She looked around. "No sign of Merlin yet?"
"Not yet, no," Arthur said. Freya peered at him closely and nodded. She gathered that Arthur had remembered.
There was a deep roar around the forest and a shadow passed over them. They all looked up and over the lake, turning in a large arch, was a very large, very scaly dragon.
"Is that-" Morgana asked.
"A dragon?" Gwen gasped. By the lake on the shore was the only place it could landed. The ground shook under it's weight. From the dragon two figure dropped down.
"Ygraine," Uther breathed.
Ygraine came running through the forest. Uther swept her into his arms and held her tightly. She was shaking slightly and buried her head in his chest.
Merlin stood by the dragon. The dragon had curled down, his head lowered nearly Merlin.
They were talking, the dragons voice deep and rumbling.
Mordred was intent to kill Merlin. Magic was going off in all directions and Gaius's home was being destroyed. Ygraine was hovering behind Merlin, clearly terrified. Merlin was getting angry. No way would he be responsible for Ygraine getting hurt. Arthur would kill him and he didn't want Arthur to lose his mother again.
Merlin let out a loud roar, eye flashing gold. Mordred went flying into the bookcase, books tumbling out onto him.
"Nimueh, go!" Merlin shouted. Nimueh nodded and Merlin grabbed Ygraine.
He muttered a spell and they were gone.
Merlin opened his eyes and they were in a forest. Not the forest where his home was but a different one. Merlin turned to Ygraine and saw that she was pale and shaking.
"Are you OK?" Merlin asked softly.
"I- I think so," Ygraine said quietly.
"I'm sorry," said Merlin. "I should of got there sooner."
"Don't blame yourself," Ygraine said. "None of this was your fault."
Merlin nodded, but he still felt guilty. Ygraine looked around, confused.
"Where did you take us?"
"We need a lot more help since Mordred is involved," Merlin said, looking around.
"Who?" Ygraine asked.
"Kilgharrah," Merlin grinned.
Ygraine looked confused.
"Also known as the Great Dragon."
Ygraine's mouth fell open.
"A dragon?" she breathed. Merlin nodded. He took a deep breath and flung his head back. He opened his eyes and they were burning gold.
"DRAGON!" he cried.
Ygraine looked around and Merlin levelled his head and his eyes were once again their stunning blue.
"Now we wait," Merlin said. He sat down and Ygraine followed.
After waiting ten minuets, mostly in silence while Merlin tried to catch his breath, the dragon appeared with a roar. Ygraine scrambled back while Merlin stood and grinning.
The dragon landed with a great thump. He peered at Merlin.
"Ahh young warlock. It has been far too long," the dragon mused.
"It is good to see you again," Merlin grinned.
"I have seen this coming, young warlock and the time draws near," the dragon said.
"I know. I need your help," Merlin said.
The dragon nodded. "I figured as much."
"Will you take us to me home?" Merlin asked. The Dragon bowed his head. Merlin turned to Ygraine and took her hand.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you, I promise," Merlin said. She nodded and with Merlin's help they climbed on the dragon and they were suddenly air born.
Ygraine screamed and Merlin whooped with excitement.
They flew well into the night and arrived to his home in the morning. Merlin helped Ygraine down and she immediately ran to Uther and held him tightly.
"History is close to repeating it's self, young warlock," The dragon said. "Do not let the same mistakes happen again."
"I won't. Not this time," Merlin said fiercely.
"I believe you," the dragon said quietly.
Merlin nodded. He turned and found Arthur waiting. He walked over to him and was vaguely aware that the dragon was drinking from the lake. When Merlin reached him Arthur pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his waist and kissing him deeply. Merlin, surprised at first, melted into the kiss and kissed him back with passion. Tongues rolling against each other, hot, wet.
When oxygen became a must they pulled back and breathed heavily.
"Thank god," Merlin breathed. "I've missed you so, so much."
"Me too," Arthur moaned softly and covered Merlin's lips with his own. This kiss was much sweeter this time, Arthur's hands resting on his hips.
Merlin pulled back and his grin was brighter than the sun.
"Tell me what happened?"
"Mordred showed up, some magic went down and now here we are," Merlin answered.
"Were you hurt?" Arthur asked, eyes tracing over his body. A warm feeling pooled in the bottom of Merlin's stomach under his gaze.
"No," Merlin smiled. "I wasn't."
"Good," Arthur said gruffly.
"Merlin," Nimueh called from the entrance of the cave. Merlin looked up and found her smirking. He blushed and nodded and Nimueh turned inside.
Arthur and Merlin headed into the cave and found everyone else waiting.
"Nimueh filled us in," Gaius said. "Did you know what Mordred is after?"
"What he is always after. To stop Arthur," Merlin scowled.
"Stop me from what? I never really understood," Arthur said.
"Mordred was jealous that you united all of Albion," Merlin explained. "You were always born to lead and be the greatest leader."
Arthur was filled with pride and warmth at Merlin's passionate words.
"But what's his plan?" Uther asked, holding Ygraine tightly by his side.
"Probably raise an army of the dead," Merlin said tiredly. "Or get Arthur alone by kidnapping somebody close to him."
"Maybe a blunt force attack," Nimueh added, sitting down.
"Or endless mind games," Morgana added.
"Oh I hope not," Gwen shuddered. Lance gently rubbed her back.
"We'll be prepared, for anything that he tries," Lance said, Gwaine grinned.
"I'm looking forward to kicking some ass."
Arthur chuckled and Gaius looked amused.
"There is one way to find out," Freya said quietly. Merlin looked to her and nodded slowly, seeming to know where he thoughts were heading.
"Yes, I was thinking about that," Merlin said quietly.
"Thinking about what?" Arthur asked, looking between the two.
"It involves magic," Freya said.
"What kind of magic?" Morgana asked.
"Magic I don't have," Freya said. "Only Nimueh, Merlin and you Morgana have that kind of power."
"Power to do what?" Uther demanded.
"To track Mordred and speak to him," Nimueh answered, finally understanding.
"You want to speak to the bastard who wants to kill us?" Gwaine asked.
"Yes," Merlin answered.
"Oh, well now were on the same page that is a stupid idea," Gwaine said, rolling his eyes.
"Gwaine is right. That is idiotic," Gaius snapped.
"Not if we do it on a different plane," Merlin said.
"Oh," Gaius said, surprised. "well, yes that would work."
"Another plane?" Ygraine asked. "I don't understand."
"There are many planes. Spirit planes, death plane, and so on," Nimueh explained. "Some have enough power to bring their sub-concious and other's sub-concious onto those planes."
"It's tough magic, isn't it?" Morgana asked. "I don't ever remember doing it."
"Very hard," Nimueh explained. "To the untrained it can be very dangerous," Freya explained. "I wouldn't try it."
"No," Arthur snapped loudly. Merlin sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"It's the only way to figure out what is going on," Merlin said tiredly.
"It's suicide, you idiot! It could be a trap," Arthur yelled.
"Well I would rather know than going in blind," Merlin snapped back.
"We can figure this out without putting lives in danger," Arthur snapped.
"So it's Ok for you to put your life on the line?" Merlin yelled. "It's OK for you to get killed? Well get what Arthur, I won't let you. I am sick of watching you die! Sick of losing you every time and being left without you!"
Merlin was breathing heavily, the shelves were rattling.
"Merlin-" Arthur started but merlin gave a yell of frustration and stood up, walking away.
Arthur sighed and rubbed his eyes. Merlin was pacing, trying to get his magic under control.
"Fine," Arthur finally relented. "But I swear if you get yourself in any danger you get out of there. Do you hear me Merlin?"
"Yes," Merlin said.
Candle filled the cave. Morgana, Nimueh and Merlin sat in a circle, the others standing around watching. Arthur was tense, his jaw tight as he watched Merlin mumble under his breath in a language he still didn't understand, even after all these years. Their eyes were burning gold before they slipped closed and the heads fell against their chests.
Merlin, Morgana and Merlin stood in a forest, a fire burning in the middle. Out of the trees Mordred appeared with Sigan by his side.
"I was surprised when I felt your magic, Emry's," Mordred said, a smirk on his face. "Why did you bring me here?"
"We want to talk," Merlin said.
"We gathered as much," Sigan said dryly.
"We want to know what you are planning," Morgana said. Mordred laughed loudly and Sigan looked amused.
"There was a time when we made a great team," Mordred said to Morgana once he had stopped laughing.
"I learnt my mistakes," Morgana said coldly. Mordred shrugged.
"More for me then."
"What are you planning?" Nimueh asked. "All of Albion again?"
"You don't like surprises?" Mordred asked in a false sweet voice.
"Not particularly," Morgana said.
"Too bad," Mordred said. Merlin sighed, this was getting know where.
"Our war does not have to take innocent lives," Merlin said, his voice strong. "Not like the times before."
"But why? Uther slaughtered enough of us," Mordred said with a sneer. "It only fair we do the same to his people."
"That was many life times ago and you got your revenge," Nimueh said, her voice cold.
"Indeed I did," Mordred said, smiling. "Alright. I will tell you. I want Arthur gone. His destiny is too great for this life time. He will bring people out of the past with their thinking and bring them forward into a new time. I want my destiny to be of greatness."
"But Arthur is doing what you want?" Morgana said, shaking her head. "Why not work with him instead of against him?"
"Because it is high time Arthur learnt his place," Mordred snapped. "He brought magic back to the land but could never understand it. Sure it was in his blood but it wasn't him. Not like us," Mordred snapped.
"With Arthur out of the way we can truly bring the world together," Sigan said.
"We won't let you," Morgana snapped.
"But I have so many times before. What makes this time so different?" Mordred grinned.
"We have experience," Nimueh smirked.
Mordred laughed.
"So do we," Sigan smirked.
"Let's go. I can see you are not to be reasoned with," Morgana snapped. She turned on her heel and walked into the forest and she was gone. Nimueh followed next. Merlin stood in front of Mordred.
"I think I'll kill you first," Mordred said, smiling. "I want to see Arthur's heart break this time."
"Leave Arthur out of this," Merlin growled.
"Why? You know, without him he's nothing. He's so easy to kill," Mordred grinned evilly.
"This is between you and me. You know I have the power to stop you and I have before," Merlin growled.
"Indeed you have," Mordred said quietly. "What do you propose?"
"You and me fight. Just us," Merlin said.
Mordred was quiet, pondering the offer.
"Deal," Mordred said quietly. "Tomorrow, here at dawn."
"Tomorrow, dawn." Merlin repeated.
"Make the strongest warlock win," Sigan sneered.
"Say hi to the devil for me when I send you back to hell," Merlin growled. They smirked and walked away disappearing from the woods. Merlin stood in the spirit plane by himself. Finally he pulled himself away and returned to his body. Arthur face was hovering in front of his, looking worried and angry.
"What the hell happened? Morgana and Nimueh returned but you didn't. What did you do?" Arthur snapped.
"Nothing," Merlin lied. "Mordred was just gloating."
Merlin was a terrible liar and he just hoped Arthur believed him but he couldn't tell.
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