5/14
Merlin
The Bones of Kilgharrah
Albion was going to hell, literally. The further the shade spread the faster it seemed to get, as if it fed off the land it now covered. Thunder rumbled over the Fortress, even as heavy rain pelted against its walls. But for Merlin the Shade wasn't enough. He had had Arthur where he wanted him, at his mercy, afraid, finally know the truth, only for it to be snatched away by the young, white Dragon. Thomas and Percival watched as Merlin paced around Balinor, looking at the child, at his son, as if regarding some arcane experiment. Across from them, fire still lapped at Leon, but his voice had given out hours ago. Balinor himself was awake, looking at Merlin fearfully. His normally bright eyes shot with red from too much crying. And he had cried, when he had awoken, finding himself unable to move. Bound within a small set of earthen runes.
"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. Balinor sniffed his gaze never leaving Merlin's.
"Bad Mens" Balinor stated almost defiantly. Merlin broke into a laugh and knelt down to him, patting his head almost affectionately.
"Oh, how right you are my child" he whispered. "And, you, Balinor, you're going to help us" he added.
"Not!" Balinor said, behind Merlin, Thomas chuckled.
"He has your spirit, if nothing else" he said. Merlin stood and looked at Thomas.
"Indeed, but if need be I can soon beat it out of him" Merlin said. Then he turned back to Balinor. "No little one, you'll aid us whether you want to of not" he said.
"Not!" Balinor said again. Merlin smiled and looked over at the wall behind the bound child. Balinor followed his gaze, at the shade that began to creep from the brickwork.
"in time you won't have a choice" Merlin said, turning away from the frightened child, looking at Thomas and Percival.
"I believe its time to begin our final assault on Camelot" he announced. Both men frowning. Merlin walked over to the scrying font. Merlin waved his hand over it, then looked back at them.
"Yes, its time for the shadows to descend upon the noble kingdom" he said, his hand glowing as he held it over the font.
In Gwen's room in the castle the Shade began to move forwards, quicker and quicker, moving up the walls, across the furniture, and eventually to the window.
Arthur awoke roaring in anger and pain, Rory and Freya moving to him quickly.
"take it easy sire" said Freya softly. He looked up at them, seeing the sky was beginning to lighten above them.
"how long?" he croaked, his voice hoarse.
"Four hours" replied Freya as Rory handed him the water pouch. Arthur's eyes widened as he looked at them.
"Why did you not wake me?" he demanded.
"You needed time to heal" Freya stated. Arthur shook his head standing up.
"What I need is to go back there and stop this" he said, even as Gwaine put an arm on his shoulder. Arthur glared at him. "Let. Me. Go" he snarled.
"Sorry Sire, but no" Gwaine said.
"I am your king and you will do as I command!" Arthur roared.
"You are my king yes, but king or no, I will knock you out if you don't stop" Gwaine stated. Arthur glared at him, then looked at the others.
"Arthur, he is correct" said Freya.
"We could have beaten them" Arthur said. But Rory shook her head.
"They had us outclassed, we were nowhere close to beating them" she said.
"Rory is right Arthur, they let us go" Freya stated. Arthur shook his head, glaring from one to the other.
"I refuse to believe that" he said, then he frowned, "if we were that beaten, why let us go?"
"Because they're after something more important" stated Freya.
"And what could be more important then us?" demanded Arthur, looking at her.
"The remains of Kilgharrah" sais the White Dragon as it swooped down to them, landing with a thud. Arthur looked at it, strangely feeling gratified to see him unharmed, but he put the thought out of his mind.
"The bones of who?"
"the great Dragon" said Freya, walking to it.
"Why would they want those?" Arthur asked. The White Dragon bowed its head sadly.
"To resurrect him in their image. You believe them powerful now, with Kilgharrah resurrected, they will be unstoppable" it told him. Arthur sighed painfully, then nodded.
"Where are these bones?" he asked.
"At his roost" it replied.
"then our course is clear, Merlin and the others will have to wait, we'll return to Camelot, and then we ride out with the army. If we can reclaim the bones before him, then we can stop at least that part of their plan" he said.
"But the Shade" said Gwaine. "how do we even get back to Camelot?" he asked.
"I will get you to Camelot" said the White Dragon.
"you can't carry all four of us" said Gwaine, looking at it. The Dragon looked at him.
"Who said carry?" it asked, as a moment later they were all whipped up in a tornado of magical energy.
Morgana and Gaius were in the pharmacy, Morgana pouring over the old tomes that the man possessed, while he himself worked diligently at a way to combat the Shade. It was surreal to be sure, here he was in the Pharmacy with the biggest threat to Camelot, and she was the least of their worries. He glanced over at her for the third time as she turned the page of the tome. Noticing that she was still hunched over.
"If you continue to look at me like that Gaius, I might start to feel unwelcome" she suddenly said, not looking at him as she turned the page again.
"I'm just trying to fathom you out" he said, turning back to his work. Morgana did turn to look at him now.
"It bothers you doesn't it, that your forced to work with the one person who set all this in motion, who once this is over will go back to being the person the whole of Camelot despises" she said.
"I work with you under the kings orders, nothing more or less" replied Gaius.
"the king, the little lost boy who thinks he has sole right to that which is mine" she said. "Don't be so naïve Gaius, this is an alliance of convenience nothing more" she said.
"I'm sure it is, but for the moment it is an alliance, so do your job" he said darkly. Morgana turned away back to the book.
"Oh I will, believe me" she replied, turning the page. They continued for several moments in silence when the alarm bell rang out.
"Now what the blazes is going on?" muttered Gaius going to the window. He looked out, then gasped.
"What is it?" asked Morgana standing, hobbling over to him.
"See for yourself" he replied moving out of the way. She peered out of the window, her frown becoming wide eyed.
"I would say that we hurry, or you won't have a Camelot left to rule" he muttered from behind her.
Outside People gave the tower a wide birth, the tower that held Arthur and Gwen's chambers the tower that was now completely covered in Shade, that was slowly beginning to move across the courtyard, the stables already taken.
Arthur, Freya, Rory and Gwaine appeared in the small clearing near to Camelot, disorientated.
"Remind me to use the horse next time" said Gwaine, feeling close to being sick.
"It wasn't that bad" muttered Arthur.
"Oh my god" Said Rory stepping forwards, Her hand going to her mouth. Arthur turned and followed her gaze. In the distance they could see the tallest tower of Camelot was completely engulfed in Shade.
"GWEN!" Screamed Arthur, running forwards as quickly as he could with his injuries.
"Arthur!" yelled Freya and Gwaine at the same time, even as he vanished into the small forest, before they followed.
"Get as many people out as you can!" shouted Kyle, pushing people out of the door of the castle, seeing Gaius and Morgana both running towards the entrance.
"Come on!" he yelled as ceiling began to darken. Behind him he heard a short yell, and turned seeing a guard and a maid both trapped by the Shade. He looked at them apologetically, and shook his head, even as Gaius and Morgana moved outside, seeing Arthur and the others run in.
"I take it you were not successful then?" said the old man, panting heavily.
"Gwen" Arthur said softly.
"I'm sorry sire" Gaius said. "We were too late. Merlin has her" he said. Arthur rounded on him.
"What?" he demanded, even as they began to back away. "Where's Elyan?" he demanded, unable to believe he would let his sister be abducted.
"Up there" said Morgana indicating the tower. Arthur's eyes widened.
"He's…?"
"I'm afraid so, and there is more, but sire we must get away from here" said Gaius, pulling him, Freya and Gwaine doing the same, as Rory and Kyle helped Morgana, pulling them out of the courtyard as the monument darkened.
"How quickly is this spreading?" demanded Freya, glancing back. "this growth, it shouldn't be possible!" she added.
"Merlin" growled Arthur.
Leon fell to the floor with a thump, his flesh red and blistered, his beard seared from the licking flames. Merlin looked down at him, as he struggled to his knees.
"I should kill you, you do know that" Merlin said to him. Leon looked up at him, one eye a milky white.
"Mercy" he coughed. Merlin kneeled down to him and narrowed his eyes.
"Mercy? Now why would I want to show you mercy?" Merlin asked.
"You've proven your power over him, is that not enough?" said Percival speaking up, Thomas glancing over at him. Merlin looked up at Percival, a dangerous look in his eyes.
"I meant no disrespect" Percival stammered, looking away.
"Your tone implies otherwise" Merlin said standing, advancing towards him. "Perhaps you'd like to take his place?" he said gesturing to Leon, still kneeling on the floor. Slowly Merlin's hand began to glow, Percival stepped back, eyes wide, staring. Suddenly Thomas moved in front of Merlin.
"Merlin, enough" Thomas said. "Leon has learnt his lesson, and I assure you Percival will not speak out again, for if he does I will gut him myself". Merlin looked at Thomas, and the glow faded from his hand.
"You don't fear me" Merlin said. Thomas slowly nodded.
"Oh, I fear you, but unlike these two rat brained idiots I know that our future lies with you" he said. Merlin regarded him, then nodded and smiled.
"I always did like you for a reason" he said then turned back to Leon. "Stand up" he commanded. Leon slowly got to his feet, gaze averted as Merlin approached him.
"If you ever cross me again Leon, you will die" Merlin warned him. Leon looked at him, eyes downcast.
"Yes, my lord" he muttered.
"Good, now we're all one dysfunctional family again perhaps we can get back to the task at hand" suggested Thomas. Merlin nodded and looked away.
"You are of course correct" Merlin said, looking over at Balinor, who was holding his arms up to the impassive Gwen who stood next to him.
"Up?" he asked, sniffing, before looking back at the Shade that was beginning to creep into the earthen circle with him.
"No!" he yelled, then cried as a painful jolt went through his body. Merlin smiled at him.
"just like his daddy" he said proudly. "Fighting until the end" he added, then turned to Thomas and Percival.
"Go, ride out, I want to see if they have the bones yet" he said. Thomas and Percival both bowed and left the room.
"And what am I to do?" asked Leon. Merlin turned to him.
"Yes, what are we to do with you?" he asked, with a faint, evil smile touching his lips.
Thomas and Percival were at the top of the stairs, when Percival stopped, looking at him.
"Why did you do that?" he demanded.
"Do what?" Thomas asked.
"Save me," he said. Thomas glanced at him through the corner of his eyes. "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. "I would suggest you do your job" he added, turning back to the stairs, when Balinor began to scream. With a smile Thomas moved quickly down the steps. Percival glancing back, before he followed.
They had retreated to the confines of a house at the gates of the town, aware that the Shade was growing ever closer. Arthur sat alone in a room, having been filled in on what had occurred in his absence, Gwen gone and Balinor kidnapped. It was more than he could bare, and silently he had retreated to this small room. In the main part of the Tavern Rory, Gwaine, Freya, Gaius and Morgana sat talking quietly, Kyle was outside, making sure as many people got out of the city as they could.
"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.
"So you would have us abandon one hopeless cause, only to take up another?" Morgana demanded.
"Only hopeless if we fail to try" said Gaius looking at them.
"And where do we even look for the bones?" Morgana sneered at him. Gaius blinked, not having an answer.
"In his roost, he went there to die" Rory said softly. Morgana and Gaius looking at her.
"You tell us this now?" demanded Morgana.
"We need Arthur" snapped Gwaine.
"Arthur is as good as lost!" replied Morgana harshly.
"If we are to stop Merlin we must do so ourselves" Freya said.
"An old man, an injured knight, a dilapidated sorceress, a want to be knight, a delusional woman a Druid and a defeated king, yes, I'm certain Merlin is wetting himself with worry" Morgana spat.
"You count us out that quickly, that was your mistake in the past" snapped Gaius.
"Stop!" yelled Gwaine slamming his fist on the table. "this is pointless, so rather than fight amongst ourselves, we should plan" he said.
"Gwaine is right" admitted Gaius. "This bickering is pointless"
"Then by all means, plan" said Morgana, as the door opened and Kyle walked in, looking out of the window.
"Kyle?" asked Rory standing.
"The ones the shade got, they're leaving" he muttered, as he continued to glance through the window.
"Going to Merlin and the others no doubt" said Freya, then she looked frowned.
"something confuses me" she admitted.
"Which is?" asked Gaius.
"Balinor and Gwen. He could have waited for them to leave with the rest of the shade converted but no, he came here to personally take them. Why?" she wondered aloud.
"Because of what the child did" said Morgana. Rory and Freya whirled on her.
"What did he do?" Freya asked.
"He pushed it back, I don't know how and it was only maybe a foot or so but he pushed it back" said Gaius.
"And no one thought it important to say this?" demanded Freya.
"Now might not be a good time for this!" Kyle suddenly yelled, pointing as the corner of the tavern began to darken.
"Get Arthur" said Rory, pulling Gwaine to his feet. "we need to leave, now" she said. Kyle nodded and ran into the room with Arthur.
Arthur looked up at him dejectedly.
"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.
"Yes we can, but we need you to do it" Kyle said.
"No. Its too late, they've won" Arthur said flatly. Kyle looked around as the Shade crept closer towards the door.
"We don't have time for this!" he yelled, and Arthur looked up as Kyle threw a savage backhand across his face, knocking Arthur out. Picking him up, he threw him over his shoulder, running out aware that the shade was now creeping across the floor and ceiling. With a roar he leapt at the door smashing it open, as he staggered out, nearly dropping Arthur in the process, outside he found the others waiting.
"What happened?" asked Freya running over.
"He wouldn't cooperate" stated Kyle, as Arthur began to moan.
"Come on" called Gaius, leading the way forwards.
"Nimble for an old man" Muttered Morgana, watching him.
"Any Ideas of where to go?" called Rory as they ran.
"Kilgharrah's roost, we need to stop Merlin from getting those bones!" Freya called back.
"It'll take more than a day to get there on foot!" called back Arthur, who had woken up with a very sore jaw. "You can put me down now by the way" he added. Kyle stopped briefly to let Arthur down.
"Sorry sire" Kyle said. Arthur shook his head.
"We can debate the finer points of knocking your king out later, for now, we get those bones" he said, breaking into a run. Aware that of all the group, Gaius was starting to fall behind.
"come on Gaius!" Arthur called to him.
"Go, I'll slow you down!" Gaius called.
"I've lost too many people already, I'm not losing you to him as well" snapped Arthur, running back.
"What are you doing?" asked Gaius.
Within ten minutes they were at the clearing, the injured knight, the druid, the hobbling sorceress, the boy knight, the first female knight and the king piggybacking the old man.
"you know for someone so thin, you weigh a ton" muttered Arthur.
"I would appreciate if you would refrain from the comments, this is embarrassing enough already thank you" muttered Gaius, as they vanished into the next set of trees.
Thomas and Percival circled the remains of the Great Dragon, the people who had found it, bowed towards them.
"Excellent" muttered Thomas, across from him Percival nodded.
"How do we get them down?" asked Percival. Thomas smiled at him.
"Merlin has that well in hand" he replied, holding up a small crystal. Percival watched as Thomas lifted it then smashed it down on the ground, sparks began to fly from it and Thomas stepped back, Percival glancing at him.
"Skree!" he called out. A moment later the sky filled with dark shapes, as the Skree descended from above the clouds.
"Masters?" said the lead one with a bow as it landed.
"Take these remains to Kalaros" Percival ordered. The Skree bowed and then its followers began to pick up the large bones, four of which carried the huge skull of the dragon.
"And us as well" said Thomas.
"What about them?" asked Percival, looking to the still bowing people.
"Return to Kalaros!" Thomas ordered. The people standing as he and Percival were lifted away.
The great doors of the fortress opened and Merlin and Leon stepped out with Gwen, who was holding Balinor, watching as more people began to arrive.
"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.
"As does the first of Camelot's knights" said Merlin seeing Elyan. He stepped forwards holding his arm out.
"Join us brother, join us as is your destiny" Merlin said. Elyan stepped forwards, joining Merlin, Leon, Gwen and Balinor on the steps.
Annis was panicked, running from her throne room, her guards on the floor, the strange moss growing on them as well as the walls.
"What is this!" she screamed as she ran into the courtyard, seeing her son, lying motionless on the floor, the same moss growing on him.
"no… please no!" she screamed, the rage and pain that filled her heart forced her to her knees, even as she Shade circled in around her. She looked at her son, tears stinging her eyes, but she would not cry, she refused to cry. She winced, however when the shade touched her hand.
"Burn it, do whatever you have to but stop it spreading!" roared Alinor as the Shade continued its advance. Around him he was aware of his people screaming, those from the villages he protected, and those who lived within his city walls, screaming as homes were set alight, some still with people in them, in a futile effort to stop the spread of the Shade. He watched as it spread further, several of his guards falling as it touched them. With a roar of rage he grabbed a lit torch from the ground waving it low, trying to burn the Shade back. It was a futile effort.
From the highest point of the fortress Merlin looked out across the land, smiling, beside him Leon, Gwen, who was still holding Balinor and Elyan watched the devastation in the distance. Over half the land was now dull and lifeless, smoke bellowed in the far distance, from the direction of Alinor's kingdom, below them the city of Kalaros was alive, with the Shade converted and the Spectres, milling around, working.
"Merlin" said Elyan gesturing with his head. Merlin looked up as the Skree swooped into view carrying large bones. A moment later the door to the throne room opened.
"We have them!" yelled Thomas, running into the room and out onto the balcony, Percival with them.
"At last" said Merlin with a huge grin. Percival and Thomas nodding at Elyan who stood next to Gwen, dressed in his own set of Death Guard armour.
"Now, it really is the beginning of the end" Merlin said, turning to them.
"Two dawns, just two and all of this will be ours" Merlin said, his arms wide. The others smiling.
"what about Arthur? He can still be a threat" said Gwen.
"Not to worry, once Kilgharrah is with us again, he and his pitiful band of followers will be nothing but ash in the wind" Merlin said, then he turned and walked back into the throne room, the others falling in behind him.
Gaius was now being carried by Kyle, much to his annoyance, but still they had made good progress so far, and finally the Kilgharrah's roost was in sight.
"Finally" muttered Arthur, panting for breath, looking up. Squinting, then not having to as the White Dragon flew overhead, landing before them.
"The bones?" asked Arthur. The white dragon shook its head.
"Gone" it replied. "and with them all hope" it said.
"No, I refuse to believe that!" snapped Arthur. "Not after everything we've done!" he shouted.
"What is done is done" said the Dragon, taking flight.
"There must be something we can do!" snapped Arthur.
"Escape, that is the only thing you can do now, escape and hope you can find a way to defeat the shade" it said.
"Balinor, Balinor pushed it back" said Arthur.
"He is the key to stopping the shade. But this is no longer your fight Arthur" it said.
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
"ARTHUR!" screamed Rory suddenly, Arthur looked over at her, then down at the ground where the shade had crept up under him.
"Go, now!" yelled Arthur as the shade crept past him, they moved, but too slow as Rory was caught as well.
"GO!" he screamed again as he fell to his knees, looking at the dragon. A moment later it, Gaius, Gwaine, Kyle and Morgana vanished. Slowly Arthur crawled to Rory who had also fell to her knees as the shade took them.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"Stop blaming yourself" she said. Arthur smiled at her and pulled her into an embrace as the Shade overtook them, the king of Camelot, claimed at last.
"O' Drakon, salas, nofty, shalaran morlas, nympht tyna lost, kala um lifeus morstan clalam vor" Merlin intoned as he stood over the remains of Kilgharrah, eyes glowing, hands outstretched, around the bones the Shade moved to envelope them. Hardening, becoming darkened green scales. Thomas, Percival, Leon, Elyan and Gwen stepping back. Merlin watched as the Dragon began to reconstruct itself, before with a roar its glowing yellow eyes opened. It took a long breath, then roared, moving upwards to a standing position, where it looked down at Merlin. Slowly it opened its huge jaws, looking as if to bite him, but then they closed and it narrowed its eyes.
"Dragonlord" Kilgharrah's voice growled as it bowed to Merlin.
"Hello, old friend" Merlin said with a smile. It tilted its head suddenly and then leant back.
"But no…" it stated. Merlin's smile faded as it looked over to Balinor.
"Dragonlord" it said looking at him.
"You have got to be kidding me" muttered Merlin.
"Have you forgotten, Merlin that when a Dragonlord dies the power passes to the son? It said.
"But I live" Merlin said dangerously. Kilgharrah began to laugh then took flight.
"For now, but you are not my master anymore" it said as it flew off.
"I AM A DRAONGLORD AND YOU WILL OBEY ME!" Merlin screamed as it departed. "YOU WILL! YOU WILL!" he roared. His only response was Kilgharrah's dead laughter floating back. With a look of rage Merlin whirled to Thomas.
"You lied!" he snapped. Thomas shook his head.
"No, the vision I had was of the Dragon doing your bidding" he said. "But I did not say you were the one commanding it" he added. Merlin stepped forwards, then stopped, looking at Balinor, then back at Thomas, before storming off. The others watching him go. Slowly Thomas went to Gwen and took Balinor, who looked up at him, as Gwen moved off to follow the others who were moving off.
"Yes my little friend, you will do as Merlin says and command the Dragon" Thomas said softly. "And when the time is right you will serve me" he said quietly. Balinor giggled, as Thomas turned and ran to catch up with the others, who hadn't got very far. Instead Merlin was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Before him, Arthur and Rory were on their knees, bowing.
"My lords" they said, looking up at them.
"This day, is getting better and better" said Merlin with a grin, turning back to the others.
"yes. It certainly is" muttered Thomas, eyes narrowed.
To Be continued…..
The land of Karish, where the group had been unceremoniously transported was a wasteland. Corpese of Dark Dragons and people littered the vista before them.
"And this is so much better how?" demanded Morgana.
"No shade for a start" said Gaius.
"We come from Camelot" said Freya stepping forwards to Queen Andrea, who looked at them as they bowed before her.
"Our allies in our time of need" she replied, her face becoming beautiful as she smiled and stood.
"And how do our allies fare?" she asked.
"My lady, we are all that remains" said Freya.
"The shade?" asked Andrea. "Yes, we know of it" she said.
"It has taken everything" said Gaius. "Including those we love and care about"
"I see" she replied.
"So they take refuge in another kingdom" muttered Merlin, as he looked in the scrying font.
"Its him…." Muttered Gwaine as the Great Dragon flew over them. "Its Kilgharrah" he muttered.
"There are but two ways to combat the shade, the magic of the magic of the innocent" said Andrea.
"Balinor" muttered Morgana
"Or kill the source of the corruption. Kill the four who began this, for they are linked"