4/14
Merlin
Rise of the Death Guard
The Shad had spread, Gwen, now asleep, sleeping softly in her chambers. Arthur sitting alone with her. Alone with her and his thoughts. Outside light began to break over the horizon, the arrival of dawn, and he hadn't slept. Not even attempted it. After his brief run in with Morgana he had come here, hating himself for feeling so helpless. His wife was sick, but not with anything Gaius could treat, and the cause of it was the one person he trusted most in this whole dark world. That that person was now a twisted evil sadistic bastard, no, that did not matter. Even as he thought the words, he heard old Merlin in his mind, chiding him for thinking that the Merlin he had loved, and the Merlin that had been brought back were even remotely similar. But that was what horrified Arthur most of all. This twisted Merlin, he was different, but in so many ways he was the same, the cheeky grins, the piercing blue eyes, the voice, and it had left his thoughts in private turmoil. If this dark version could still remind him of the old Merlin, then he shuddered to think if this is what the old Merlin could have become if things had played out differently all those years ago. No he thought to himself. He knew Merlin, he knew deep down that the old Merlin, the one who had died a year ago, he would never have even contemplated what he was doing now. Gwen, in her sleep shifted slightly, her face grimacing in silent pain, even as she mumbled his name. Arthur wanted to reach out to her, to take her in his arms, yet he was denied even that small comfort, but his eyes widened, for as she had turned in her fevered pain induced dreams, he saw that the Shade was now on the pillows, creeping slowly along the bed. Slowly he stood, backing away, not frightened, not for himself, but for Gwen and everyone else. Until now this Shade had been a terrible thing, relentless in its destruction of the villages, of the Lady Vivian. But now it crept along within the walls of his own castle, and its source was the woman he loved more than anything in the world. Now the Shade was more real for some reason. Behind him the door opened softly, and the soft footfalls stopped as the intruder caught sight of him.
"Gaius" said Arthur softly as the old Physician approached him, standing next to him.
"You've been here all night" Gaius stated, not looking at Arthur.
"I had too, I could not bring myself to leave her" Arthur said softly. Gaius put an arm around him them, supporting Arthur in a way he never would have done Uther.
"Oh my poor boy" Gaius muttered softly. Arthur remained silent, not trusting himself to speak at the moment, Gaius sensing the young King's turmoil slowly moved away, letting him the privacy he sought to clear his thoughts, moving towards Gwen with a vial and some tongs.
"Why are you here so early? Its barely dawn" said Arthur as Gaius did his best to keep his hand steady as he dripped some of the contents onto the Shade.
"Is that?" Arthur asked, hope rising in his heart. Gaius merle shook his head.
"No, If only it was, I'm hoping this will slow the spread, but it will not cure it" Gaius said softly.
"I'm not the only person who's been awake all night" Arthur observed, feeling gratitude towards the old man. If Gaius heard him then he chose not to reply, instead concentrating on his work, finally when the last drop fell onto Gwen he pulled the tongs away, looking at Arthur.
"When will you know?" asked Arthur, looking down at her. Gaius sighed and shook his head.
"A few hours, maybe, that is, if it works at all" Gaius said softly. Arthur nodded at him, then turned away.
"You'll be leaving soon, to go to Kalaros" Gaius said.
"Within the hour" Arthur said, finally looking at him. Gaius nodded, but looked worried.
"You realise this is an enormous trap for you don't you" he stated. Arthur returned the nod, but gestured to Gwen.
"But it is what I must do" he replied. Gaius inclined his head.
"And I don't doubt it, not for one moment" Gaius agreed. "But do not trust him, Merlin. He's shown himself to be quite manipulative, especially given your feelings for him, and now this will complicate matters further" Gaius cautioned, as he gestured at Gwen.
"I know Gaius, and I've learnt enough so far to know not to go by myself" Arthur said.
"oh?" the old Physician's eyebrow raising slightly.
"Freya, Rory and Gwaine will accompany me" he explained.
"What of Elyan?"
"He worries for his sister, and I don't blame him. He will remain here"
"He will not like that" said Gaius.
"Which is why he does not know. It is bad enough we go to battle men we considered our brothers, I will not have him put in the position of maybe having to kill them, while his sister lies ill as well" said Arthur.
"Could the same not be said for you?" asked Gaius. Arthur looked away, not answering. "Arthur, you must realise that when you arrive there that there is a high possibility that you will have to kill them. Can you do that? Can you honestly say you can kill Merlin, Leon, Percival and Thomas?" Gaius asked, concerned. Arthur took a deep breath and looked at Gwen.
"Gaius, if anything is certain, it is this. If I cannot save them, then I know I can kill them" he said.
Thirty four Shade converted people stood at the steps of the fortress, Spectres flittering around them from one shadow to the next. Everyone becoming still as the great doors of the fortress opened with a rumble. Four armour clad men stepping forwards, their almost blood stained armour flicking with the torchlight at either side of the massive doors. The spectres stopped moving, their shadowy forms seemingly to turn to look at them, the humans among them falling to their knees, heads bowed.
"You, are the first of the Shade born" said Merlin stepping forwards, the people looking up at them. "And though you are small in number, as the Shade spreads we will grow" he continued.
"Our lords" the people replied, bowing their heads. Merlin smiled and looked around again.
"The time approaches when our first battle will commence" he began.
"Our lives for the Death guard!" shouted one of the villagers. Merlin nodded pleased with the response.
"Your loyalty is a sure sign that what we do is just. But the first battle shall not be yours" he said, then motioned for Thomas, Percival and Leon to step forwards, they did so, stopping on the steps behind him.
"A year ago, we were killed in a great battle, yet here we now stand" Merlin said, "And we were not the only ones to die" he said. "Now your first task begins, for Thomas has foreseen what it will be" he said, Percival and Leon looking at each other, confused, this was not something they had been informed of.
"Thomas?" said Merlin. Thomas inclined his head and stepped forwards.
"A year ago we died in a great battle, but we were not alone, for the Great Dragon fell with us. This is your first task, you are to leave here, scour the land. Find the Bones of Kilgharrah" Thomas said.
"For as he allied with us in life" said Merlin looking across the crowd. "So shall he do so. IN DEATH!" Merlin cried out.
"For this day, the Death Guard rise again" Merlin muttered. The spectres began to hiss in a chilling undead cheer, while the Shade converts did the same.
"Now Go!, find the bones of Kilgharrah!" yelled Thomas, The Shade converts turning and moving quickly from the steps. Merlin watching pleased, ever aware of Leon's gaze levelled at his back.
Gaius looked up as the door to the Pharmacy burst open, an angry Elyan storming in, looking around.
"Where are they Gaius?" he demanded. Gaius sighed and closed the book he was looking at, turning his full attention to Elyan.
"They left this morning" he explained. Elyan shook his head in anger.
"Without me?" he demanded.
"Obviously" replied Gaius, but not unkindly. Elyan snarled and turned away.
"Where?" he demanded over his shoulder.
"you know where they have gone, and it will do you no good to go after them" Gaius said. "Arthur left you here for a reason"
"Then tell me Gaius, what 'good reason' is that?" demanded Elyan.
"in case you hadn't noticed your sister is very ill, and Camelot is also without three of its most trusted defenders, you were need here" Gaius said.
"So I am denied justice for my sister?" he demanded.
"Listen to yourself!" snapped Gaius, causing Elyan to whirl around again. "Justice, Honour, this goes far beyond those notions, I understand your pain, I truly do, but this is not about you, or me, it is about whether Arthur can save Gwen, and the only hope of that, albeit a small one is Merlin, If you had gone you would have attempted to slay him without a moment's pause" Gaius yelled.
"You know nothing old man, he had no right to-"
"He had every right!, he is your king, and yes I am indeed old, a lot older than you, and believe me I know a great many things, so kindly do not cast me aside" Gaius told him. Elyan looked away briefly, then back at Gaius.
"I apologise" he said slowly. Gaius looked at him and then nodded, picking up a poultice.
"Come, you can visit Gwen with me while I deliver her medicine" he said. Elyan slowly nodded, Gaius eyeing him a moment longer, before they left the room.
Quietly the two men entered Gwen's chambers, the woman still sleeping, the Shade now covering most of the bed and blankets. Gaius slowly moved to the bedside, careful to stay away from the Shade that was spreading.
"How is she?" asked Elyan as Gaius leant over Gwen's now sleeping form, the Shade now moving to her chin from her neck.
"If Arthur doesn't return soon with some clue as to how to proceed I shudder to think" said Gaius, turning back to Gwen.
"My lady" he whispered to her. "Gwen" he repeated softly. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Gaius?" she asked softly. He smiled down at her, before gently dropping the poultice on the bed beside her.
"Medicine" he said. She nodded and weakly picked it up, drinking the contents down, placing it with several other Shade covered empty poultice's on the bed beside her.
"You have a visitor" he said softly, moving away. She looked up, seeing Elyan watching her, his eyes full of concern.
"Oh Gwen" he said softly, stepping forwards, Gaius moving away.
"Not too close, I'm sorry" he said softly. Elyan looked at him briefly and nodded.
"Are you in pain?" Elyan asked, not knowing what to say or do.
"Gaius's poultice keep the worst at bay" she assured him. Elyan nodded, a single tear falling, which he quickly wiped away.
"You lie poorly" he said softly.
"I lie to spare the ones I love" she replied just as softly. Then she forced a smile. "but I have faith that Arthur will persevere in the end" she said. Elyan looked away briefly, then looked back nodding.
"I hope so" he said. "I really do"
"I had assumed she would be one of us by now" said Percival as he and Merlin watched Gwen from the scrying font, Merlin nodded in agreement.
"Gaius" he muttered.
"How could he defeat the Shade?" Percival demanded.
"He hasn't, he's merle.. slowed it" Merlin said, looking up at him. "It matters not, in the end she will join us" he said. Percival nodded, then looked away. Merlin watching.
"you seem, troubled" Merlin said at length.
"No, concerned would be the word" Percival replied, looking back at him.
"About the Dragon Bones?" asked Merlin.
"You and Thomas planned this, behind our backs, if we are brothers, then surely we should have been privy to this other plan" he said.
"and you would have been, except the first Shade Born arrived before we could inform you" Merlin said agreeably.
"And Leon?" asked Percival.
"Leon too" Merlin said nodding. Percival looked at him a moment longer then turned leaving the room. Merlin looked over as Thomas stepped in from the antechamber.
"you think he believed you?" Thomas asked. Merlin looked at him and shook his head.
"Of course not, but Percival, despite appearances to the contrary, is no fool, he knows who hold's the true power here" Merlin stated.
"And Leon?" asked Thomas, folding his arms, watching the young warlock.
"he'll come around in time, and if he doesn't, well he'll have to deal with me" Merlin replied.
"You're placing a great amount of faith on assumptions Merlin" warned Thomas. "Be careful they do not come back to bite you" Thomas said.
"Oh, believe me, I am more than ready" Merlin assured him. "If Leon and Percival do decide to act against me-" he turned to Thomas, eyes narrowed, "-Well, they've never truly pissed off a Warlock before" he said, before looking away. Thomas slowly turned to look at the door, then with a nod to Merlin walked out.
"And you Thomas, if you betray me, you will suffer so much more" Merlin vowed as stared at the door.
They had been riding for almost a day when they reached the bank of a slow moving river, Arthur holding his hand up for the group to halt.
"It must have hit a lake" said Freya as she watched in horror. The river, usually clear was dark and murky, dead fish floating on its surface being washed away, their usually colourful scales dulled and as lifeless as their owners.
"We need to hurry" said Rory. "If the Shade has got into the water supply, sooner or later it will infect every water supply in the kingdoms" she said. Arthur nodded in agreement, looking down at the ground.
"Its in the water, but it doesn't look like it's on the bank yet" he stated. "We'll have to chance a jump to the other side, there's no way we can wade through it" he explained, rearing his horse back, and then galloping forwards, jumping at the last instant to land on the other side, Freya following his lead. Rory came next, then Gwaine. However as Gwaine's horse hit the back, part of the soil gave way, the back leg of his horse touching the water for the barest instance before it righted itself.
"Damn it!" yelled Gwaine, hopping down quickly, even as the hoof of the horse began to darken, Gwaine looked at it the horse fondly, before drawing his blade and striking it down, the others wincing. It had to be done, and Gwaine agreed, not because he had had to do it, but because he could not leave the horse here to die in slow agony as the Shade overtook it, as it had the animals at the villages.
"Farewell my friend" he said softly, before turning to the others, his usual infections grin missing.
"Here" said Rory gently, moving forwards so he could clamber up behind her.
"Thanks" he muttered softly.
"Anytime" she said as they set off again.
About an hour later, they passed another village, the Shade growing over the houses, but like the first one Arthur had been too, there were no people. But Arthur was concerned.
"How fast is this stuff growing?" he wondered aloud. "the other villages infected were a day's ride Southeast" he said. Freya also looked concerned.
"I hate to point this out, but if it's spread this far in just over a day, then we have maybe three before it reaches Camelot" she said.
"then we stop for nothing and no one" Arthur said, breaking into a gallop, the others following.
"Arthur we cannot gallop blindly through the dark!" yelled Freya.
"Just watch me!" he yelled back.
"Sire, you'll never see the Shade… in the shade!" said Gwaine blinking. "was that right?" he asked Rory, she glanced back briefly, then sighed.
"You are a moron" she said, but the words had the desired results, Arthur had slowed his steed, waiting for the others to catch up.
"We must tread carefully" said Freya. "and I mean that literally" she added.
"How much further do you think we have to go?" asked Rory. Arthur looked at her.
"The river was the last major marker, we should be there within the hour" he said.
"Then we stop and rest and eat" said Freya.
"We can't not when we're so close" Arthur argued.
"She's right sire, if we're about to go into battle, then we need some rest, even if it's only an hour" said Rory. Arthur looked at her again, as if he was about to argue, but the point was well made.
"An hour" he agreed.
"Illuminatus" said Freya softly, a bright light issuing from her hand, lightning the area around them.
"Or we can go now" said Gwaine, as he realised that the trees at the edge of the small clearing they were in were rotting, the Shade moving slowly spreading outwards.
"Now is good" agreed Freya, moving her horse forwards, the others following behind her. The light she had created magically keeping pace with them. Behind them there was a loud crack as one of the oldest trees in the part of the forest fell under its own weight.
"Sire!" called Gwaine.
"What?" Arthur called back.
"I hate to say this, but we have to come back this way" he called out.
"see, that's why I like you Gwaine, ever the optimist" Arthur called, back, and despite the tension in the group Freya and Rory both chuckled slightly. But they knew that ultimately Gwaine was correct, suddenly Freya's horse reared up, neighing in alarm, the others coming to a halt.
"Freya?" asked Arthur, as he sat on his horse beside her. She shook her head, eyes watching the villagers as they slowly made their way through the forest, going in the same direction. Arthur's eyes widening slightly as he recognised the young woman from the previous day.
"Where are they going?" asked Rory softly.
"How could we have been so stupid" muttered Freya, causing the others to glance at her. "The shade, it killed the cattle but there were no bodies. I should have realised when I saw Vivian, it doesn't kill people, it converts them" she muttered.
"It did a damned good job of killing Vivian" Rory pointed out.
"no, that was Merlin's doing, I'm sure of it, he knew someone would try to help Vivian and thus touch her, infecting themselves" Freya said.
"He kills my allies, infects Gwen and now turns my own people against me" muttered Arthur with contempt.
"Sire, look" said Gwaine pointing as several guards walked past, behind the villagers.
"But, those are Odin's colours" said Rory frowning.
"The first village, it was on the edge of his territory, the shade must have reached his citadel" said Freya, her guess was confirmed a moment later as Odin himself walked past the group.
"Do they not see us?" asked Gwaine. Freya shook her head, not knowing the answer, but after a few more minuets the crowd of villagers and Odin's men had passed.
"This is really getting out of hand" muttered Arthur as he set off again. They moved slowly for about forty minuets when, finally they stopped.
"The City of Kalaros, legendary home of the dead and the damned" muttered Arthur as he, Rory, Freya and Gwaine stood atop the knoll looking at it in the distance. In the valley between them, they could make out the people they had seen earlier heading for it.
"What the hell is that?" asked Gwaine staring at the fortress that stepped far, far up into the sky.
"The Citadel of Kalaros, according to legend it was created with the use of magic many centuries ago" Freya said.
"But its huge" said Rory breathlessly, looking up, at the clouds that swirled overhead, lighting with a brewing storm.
"come on" said Arthur, setting off.
"You're going to walk up to the front door and knock are you?" asked Freya.
"Nope. They are" he said pointing to Rory and Gwaine, who stared back blankly.
"knock knock" said Thomas opening his eyes, the others looking over at him.
"who's there?" asked Percival, frowning, Thomas slowly stood.
"Arthur" he replied with a smile.
"then lets greet him" said Leon pulling his sword from its sheath. Merlin held up a hand.
"Now Leon, is that anyway to treat an honoured guest?" he asked.
Rory and Gwaine had slipped amongst the crowed gathering at the base of the Fortress. Citadel wasn't a grand enough name for it.
"I hate this plan" muttered Gwaine. Beside him Rory quietly elbowed him, watching as the doors to the fortress opened, Merlin, Thomas, Leon and Percival stepping out to view the gathered mass. Behind the walls of one of the nearly collapsed buildings, Arthur and Freya watched from the shadows.
Merlin stepped forwards, looking around the crowd.
"Our loyal followers!" he intoned, the crowd falling to their knees. Rory and Gwaine following their lead.
"It is gratifying to see the Shade has indeed been ravenous in its task" he said.
"you were right" whispered Arthur, leaning towards Freya. She nodded but otherwise remained riveted to the spectacle before them.
"You are the second of our converts, of those who have joined our cause, and you will find that we are very generous to those who serve well" Merlin continued.
"Something's wrong" muttered Freya suddenly. Arthur glanced at her. "its as if he's playing to an audience" she said.
"you think he-" replied Arthur quietly.
"Knows we're here? I think he's known for quite some time" she replied.
"But my friends, there are those among us those who hide in the shadows, those who hide in plain sight" he said, the crowd of people looking at each other.
"don't you hate being wrong all the time?" muttered Arthur through gritted teeth.
"Wraiths!" Leon called out, and the shadows came alive around everyone with the spectres.
"Find the outsiders, find those not tainted by the Shade!" he ordered.
"Well this isn't good" muttered Gwaine, reaching for his sword, looking to the shadows for Arthur and Freya, Rory doing the same.
"Merlin!" Arthur suddenly called out, causing the four men to turn.
"End this now!" Arthur called out again.
"You still think you can defeat us?" Merlin challenged.
"If I need to" Arthur replied stepping out with Freya.
"Oh, very good Arthur, I see you brought back up" Merlin said, even as Rory and Gwaine stood up, drawing their weapons.
"then by all means, enter" Merlin said as they four of them moved back into the fortress.
Inside, Merlin looked at Leon, Percival and Thomas.
"Kill them, but Arthur is mine" he said as he moved up the stairs, the others following.
Arthur, Freya, Rory and Gwaine entered the lowest level of the fortress, looking left and right, for any sign of the four men.
"Up, they've gone up" said Freya, looking around.
"Then so do we" said Arthur moving forwards. They moved up two dust filled levels when Percival jumped out with a snarl, knocking Gwaine away from the others.
"I got this!" yelled Gwaine, even as Leon stepped out behind him, sword raised.
"Gwaine!" Rory screamed running forwards, but Gwaine ducked out of the way of Leon's swing, rolling under and between the two men, who turned to face him. Rory was about to go to his aid, when her blood went cold.
"Hello Rory" said Thomas rounding the corner to face her, sword drawn. Rory slowly drew her own weapon.
"Thomas" she said. He smiled at her, then, the same smile he usually gave when they talked about past memories, slowly it turned into a grimace.
"And so much more" he snarled, jumping forwards, then their blades met.
"I'll get Merlin, you help them" said Arthur, looking at Freya.
"but-" she said.
"Freya, please, just do as I ask" he said. Freya looked at him then back to the others, then nodded.
Balinor was screaming when Elyan, Gaius and Morgana run into the room. The small child trapped into the corner as the Shade moved in around him.
"No…" breathed Gaius.
"How'd he get in here?" demanded Elyan, looking around Gwen's chambers, gasping when he saw Gwen had been completely enveloped by the Shade.
"Gwen!" he called in despair.
"there's no way we can get to him" said Gaius, even as Morgana reached out a hand to try and levitate him, but he simply fell over.
"he's fighting me" Morgana said.
"Balinor you must let her help!" yelled Gaius in despair, aware the Elyan was still staring at his sister.
"Bad lady!" he shouted, shaking his head.
"I know, but you must trust her!" shouted Gaius.
"No's!" he screamed, then suddenly his eyes glowed.
"NO!" he shouted at the shade, and the others watched in amazement as it moved away from him.
"What the…" said Morgana, looking at Gaius.
In the Citadel, Merlin gripped his head suddenly in pain, while down below, Percival, Leon and Thomas wall winced.
"Did you see that?" asked Gwaine, even as the brief respite ended.
The Shade retreated about a foot from the child, but now slowly began to creep forwards again.
"Balinor, let Morgana help!" yelled Elyan, looking at him.
"No" he said.
"Arter said bad lady!" he shouted pointing.
"this is hopeless" muttered Gaius, then suddenly blinked when Elyan jumped over the Shade, grabbing him up, then turning, but even as he did it got him. With a sad look he launched the child over to Morgana who caught him, even as the shade began to move up Elyan's feet.
"You stupid man!" yelled Gaius.
"No, no hurt!" yelled Balinor, his arms reaching out, forcing the shade away from Elyan in a futile effort.
"I'm sorry" said Elyan softly, looking at Gwen's shade covered form.
"Now that is impressive, and from a child" muttered Merlin who watched the scene, wondering what had caused his sudden discomfort.
"I want that child" Muttered Merlin, as Arthur walked in, sword bared. Slowly they turned to face each other.
"Well, you took your time" Merlin said, looking up at him.
"Merlin" replied Arthur as he slowly approached him.
"Arthur" Merlin said in turn.
"You know why I'm here" Arthur said. Merlin picked up a large book and waved it in the air.
"This I would say" he said. Arthur stepped forwards, but Merlin held it back.
"Merlin, please let us help you, we can stop the shade before anyone else is hurt" Arthur said.
"Oh? Really?" asked Merlin in mock shock. "And what make you think I want this stopped?" he asked.
"Because if you don't give it to me then I will have to kill you" Arthur stated.
"Oh, now that would be bad" replied Merlin, with a sneer. Then he shrugged, throwing the book at Arthur.
Arthur caught the Tome where Merlin had thrown it to him, glancing at it, before he snarled and dropped it as it burst into flames.
"oops" said Merlin with a grin. "Guess you'll just have to kill me then" Merlin said.
"Why? Why would you do that?" asked Arthur, enraged.
"To finally show you the truth, dear Arthur. The Merlin you knew is long dead, so is this, land, so are your allies and so… is Gwen" he said with a smile.
"Nooooo!" screamed Arthur running forwards and swinging out with his blade, cutting Merlin on the arm. Merlin hissed and jumped back, and with a gesture sent Arthur flying into a wall.
"You honestly think you can kill me!" Merlin hissed.
"I intend to try" replied Arthur through gritted teeth as he got to his knees. Merlin looked over at him, sneering.
"Then by all means, try" he invited.
Percival lashed out at Freya, who jumped back, sending the larger man hurtling away, to crash into an ancient wooden table that splintered on impact, even as across the hall from her, Gwaine blocked a blow from Leon, bringing his elbow into the other mans face. Leon's head snapped back, and he tasted blood in his mouth.
"You made me bleed, see, now that's annoying" Leon hissed, kicking out, Gwaine hit the wall hard, sure at least two of his ribs were cracked. Freya was about to aid him when Percival came rushing towards her again.
"Can't you just stay down!" she yelled at him.
"Nope!" he called back, ramming into her hard, sending her sprawling, into the little room where Rory and Thomas were fighting, swords clashing together.
"Come on Rory, join us, you know you want to" said Thomas as he battered away her blade, she swung around again, falling short of a blow that would have seriously wounded him.
"You're not Thomas, you're not Thomas" she repeated over and over.
"But I am" he replied with a smile, then lashed out again.
Arthur was hurled into the wall again, smacking it so hard the breath was knocked from his body.
"You see Arthur, this was always your problem, never looking at the details, the little things, I told you that once" Merlin said as he stepped around Arthur.
"And you…. Are nothing if not little Merlin" said Arthur through a pained breath, Merlin looked down at him then, and laughed.
"Oh, a sense of humour, I like that" Merlin said, then lifted Arthur up again with magic, hurling him to another wall. "but I grow so tired of this little game, goodbye Arthur" He said, and again using magic, picked Arthur up, then floated him out onto the balcony, hovering him over the edge.
The other battle had gone back outside, the Shade converted watching as their masters battled the three intruders. Suddenly Rory looked up, seeing Arthur.
"Freya!" she screamed, only to be knocked back by Thomas. Freya looked up and then in rage, screamed out, knocking Thomas, Leon and Percival flying with such force they clattered to the ground obviously hurt.
"Inside" said Leon through gritted teeth, crawling to the door, Percival and Thomas behind him. The door slamming shut on Freya and the others.
"Are you ready to die Arthur? Knowing what a true failure you are?" asked Merlin as Arthur dangled there in thin air.
"I die knowing I did what I could to stop you" Arthur replied. Merlin nodded at him.
"And it wasn't a very good effort was it" Merlin said pleasantly, "give my regards to the ground" he said, and then, with finality, let Arthur go, dropping down, he moved to the balcony, watching, his eyes going wide as a white shape flew under the falling king, before belching flames towards the shade converted below.
"Uraghh!" Merlin roared as the White Dragon, obviously growing quickly now Kilgharrah was gone, flapped off into the night, Freya, Rory and Gwaine following as best they could, the two women supporting the man. Merlin watched for a moment longer, then turned and moved with attitude back into the throne room, the other's waiting for him.
"So Arthur escaped" said Leon, with a grin. Merlin shot him a look then his eyes glowed, Leon screamed in pain as he was pushed hard against the wall, flames whipping around him. Thomas and Percival stepping back.
"What happened?" demanded Merlin.
"Freya isn't as hopeless as she looks" said Thomas. Merlin nodded, then smiled.
"Arthur might have escaped but he is still beaten" Merlin said, over Leon's screams.
"I take it, that means you have another idea?" said Percival. Merlin smiled and nodded.
Gaius and Morgana were hurled to the floor as a sudden wind whipped up in the room. Balinor screaming as Merlin appeared. He glanced at the child and then roughly picked him up.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine" said Merlin, with a snarl even as he vanished, taking the child with him, and Gwen as well. Elyan, on the floor could only try to move feebly.
"How is he?" asked Rory, standing over Freya, who was tending to a badly wounded Arthur.
"we need to get back to Camelot" she said, looking up at her.
"The king will live" said the White Dragon, looking over at them. At the moment it was about the size of a horse, but looked a lot more imposing than the baby they all remembered.
"You have our thanks" said Freya with a bow.
"None is needed, but we must act quickly, for something far worse approaches" it said.
"What could be worse than what's already happened?" asked Gwaine, holding his side.
"Kilgharrah" it replied, causing the others to look at each other.
"He's back as well?" asked Rory.
"No, but if Merlin's plans come to pass, then he will live again, an eternal enemy to all but his masters" it replied.
"how do we stop it?" asked Rory.
"his bones, we must stop Merlin reclaiming his bones"
In the fortress Merlin, Thomas and Percival watched as the Shade growth fell from Gwen, Balinor in Thomas's arms, having been put to sleep by Merlin. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at them
"Welcome back my queen" said Merlin with a smile. Gwen looked at them, then stood.
"My lords" she bowed to them. Across the room Leon continued to scream in pain.
To be continued…..
5/14
Merlin
The Bones of Kilgharrah
"Arthur is a defeated man" said Morgana. "Defeated men cannot lead" she said.
"So it falls to us" said Freya, looking at her. "We cannot allow Merlin to get the remains of the Dragon" she said.
"You have no idea of how important you will be in the months to come little one, but you will, oh, you will" said Merlin as he looked at the bound Balinor.
"if he can torture Leon like that then what's to stop him turning on us?" demanded Percival, looking at Thomas.
"Leon was asking for that, he got no more or less than he deserved" Thomas replied.
"Where's Elyan?" asked Gaius. Looking around the room.
"If you ever cross me again Leon, you will die" Merlin warned him. Leon looked at him, eyes downcast.
"Yes, my lord" he muttered.
"Camelot is being overrun with the Shade, we need to get out of here now!" yelled Kyle grabbing Arthur.
"What's the point?" said Arthur. "we can't beat it" Arthur replied, then looked over at Kyle, even as the corners of the room began to darken as the shade crept in.
"And yet more arrive" said Leon, looking out at the crowd of people who were now gathered beneath the fortress. He smiled when Elyan stepped forwards, before bowing with the others.
"We have them!" yelled Thomas, running into the room.
"Dragonlord" Kilgharrah's voice growled as it bowed to Merlin.
"Hello, old friend" Merlin said with a smile.