7/12
Merlin
The Once and Former Queen
The week following the fall of Kalaros had been the most difficult the land had ever endured. Crops were dead, as were a lot of trees, wildlife and cattle. Damage control had been needed, but the simple fact was that the Shade had done an excellent job of routing out all natural life in the land and destroying it. Food was scarce, people's homes had been destroyed. Collapsing as the Shade rotted their wooden foundations. The one piece of good news was that whatever Balinor had done, it had at least cleared the water supply. The only thing that concerned him, the only thing he found he could focus on was that despite everything that had happened, the destruction of his fortress home, the destruction of Kalaros itself, Merlin and the others had escaped, and the simple fact was that he had no idea where to find him.
"Sire?" George said softly, from behind him. Arthur blinked, realising George had spoken.
"I'm sorry Gorge, what was that?" Arthur asked, looking over to him.
"I asked if there was anything else you needed" he said. Arthur shook his head.
"No, thank you, that will be all" Arthur replied. George bowed, and left the room, Arthur already lost in his thoughts again, not even noticing as Gwen entered, carrying a sleeping Balinor in her arms. She looked at him, then sat on the bed next to him.
"Worried?" she asked softly. Arthur nodded.
"Very, we destroyed is home, if he wasn't hell bent of killing us all, you bet he will be now" Arthur said. Gwen nodded, shifting Balinor's weight in her arms.
"We have faced worse than this in past" she said, "and it has cost us, but we have survived, no evil Arthur, no matter how great, can ever truly defeat us" she said. Arthur nodded, but then sighed.
"But this is different" he said. "It's weird, but it seems like everything we've faced, Morgana, Morrigan, The Great Dragon, Morgause's undead army, it feels like its all been a prelude to this" he said. "Morrigan knew how powerful Merlin was, she knew she couldn't defeat him herself so she had to use Thomas to do so, and even then.. even as he was dying. Even then he destroyed her, and now I find myself looking back over past victory's, and I wonder how much was my doing, and how much was Merlin's" he said, then he stood up, taking Balinor from Gwen, moving to the crib as she watched him.
"My father once said it seemed like I had a guardian angel, I'm starting to think it was him, Merlin" Arthur said, as he tucked the covers up around Balinor. He looked at the child fondly, then turned around to face Gwen.
"Arthur, as true as that may be, Merlin is dead, and you know more than anyone" she said. Arthur nodded.
"and I'm not disputing that, because, yes that person at the Fortress, it looked like him, sounded like him. Hell that all looked and sounded like they should, but you didn't feel it Gwen, it was evil, pure evil I felt when I was near them, and that's what worries me, because it scared me" he said. Gwen stood and went to him, taking his hand.
"Then we must prepare" she said. "If you're right, then sooner or later he'll start again" said Gwen. Arthur nodded, then kissed her forehead.
"It's late, we should try to get some sleep" he said.
"I'd agree, but as bedtime conversations go that wasn't one of the nicer ones" she said. Arthur smiled.
"Sorry, do you want me to sing to you?" he asked, grinning. Gwen opened her eyes in mock horror.
"I've only just got the baby to sleep" she said. Arthur nodded, then frowned, even as Gwen started laughing.
The dead squirrel slammed onto the table with a thud, Leon looking up as Thomas walked into the freezing hut.
"And this is?" he asked, his one good eye looking at the corpse.
"Dinner, eat or don't I really don't care" Thomas replied, pulling out a wooden chair and sitting down, propping his feet up on the table next to the corpse.
"I would prefer it if I didn't have to smell your feet while I eat" Leon growled. Thomas looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Really? Have you smelt yourself recently?" he asked.
"I should gut you now" Leon growled. Thomas laughed.
"I'd like to see you try, I really would" he said then he took his feet off the table and leant forwards.
"Merlin may be powerful Leon, but I am nowhere near as forgiving as he is" he hissed, before standing and walking to the other side of the room, aware of Leon's gaze on him.
"I hate this" growled Leon, biting into the squirrel, "Why couldn't he just kill the damned child and be done with it? No he has to gloat, and now do you see where this has put us?" he continued.
"Yes, because unlike you, I'm not blind" said Merlin walking in. "Unhappy with your lot in life? Feeling depressed?" Merlin asked almost sympathetically, patting Leon's head like a caring father would. Leon pulled away, but remained silent. "Well boo hoo" he finished with a resounding slap around the back of his head. "I really don't care what you think" he said, whirling as Thomas suddenly fell to the floor, clutching his ears.
"Thomas?" asked Merlin, looking at him, before he and Leon did the same, Percival crashing through the door, also holding his ears.
"What is that damned noise!" roared Thomas. The pitch only they could hear becoming higher and higher, until, it reached such a crescendo they all simply collapsed.
Arthur snugly in bed turned over, opening one eye briefly to see Balinor looking at him.
"how'd you get out of the crib?" Arthur asked half asleep.
"flied" Balinor replied, then pointed at him. "dool"
"I am a king I do not drool in my sleep" Arthur said. Balinor pointed again.
"still dool" he said. Arthur wiped his mouth, feeling the wetness and sighed.
"you win King dool" he said.
"Arthur? What are you doing?" asked Gwen sleepily, from beside him.
"Losing an argument with a baby" he replied.
"Oh, that's nice" she replied, settling back under the covers. Balinor continued to stare at Arthur, who stared back.
"Balinor, its early.. go to sleep" Arthur said. Balinor held out his arms.
"up" he said.
"No.. crib" Arthur said. Balinor shook his head.
"Up" he said again. Arthur sighed and picked him up where he snuggled between Arthur and Gwen.
"now sleep" said Arthur. Balinor nodded and snuggled up against him. And for one precious moment before sleep claimed him again, Arthur smiled.
Morning broke across the kingdom, and George quietly entered the chambers, seeing Gwen awake. She shook her head, and he frowned, looking at the bed, his eye brows raising seeing Arthur hugging Balinor, both sleeping softly, He looked back to Gwen who grinned, then looked up as Rory and Elyan entered. They moved over softly, taking in the sight, both smirking, at this incident that the King would most certainly deny later.
"Sorry, but he's needed" whispered Rory. Gwen frowned.
"Problem?" she asked.
"No, Gaius and the others are back, with guests" she said. Gwen nodded, then turned to Arthur.
"Arthur" she said. He lot out a resounding snore, but otherwise made no sound. "Arthur" Gwen said again.
"What?" he asked sleepily.
"You're needed" she said.
"Now? Gwen I'm tired, tonight yes?" he mumbled. Gwen's eyes went wide. George blinked, Rory suddenly found something very interesting under her fingernails and Elyan just looked at his sister.
"Arthur!" Gwen shouted. Arthur opened his eyes, looking up, seeing the people watching them.
"I'm up!" he said.
"tonight maybe" said Rory, getting a slight elbow in the ribs from Elyan. Arthur looked at them, then blinked.
"Why are you all in my chambers?" he asked.
"We thought you should know that Gaius and the others have returned, the Queen of Karish is with them" said Elyan. Arthur nodded.
"George?" he asked.
"Your clothing is ready sire, when I heard we had guests I took the liberty of preparing you some suitable attire" he said.
"Thank you" he replied, looking at Rory and Elyan.
"Please tell them I will be down shortly" he said. Rory and Elyan bowed and turned.
"I can't believe you said that" whispered Elyan.
"Oh that was too good an opportunity" she replied with a chuckle as they walked out. Arthur blinked, then looked at Gwen.
"Did I miss something?" he asked.
"no, no" she assured him. He slowly nodded, then stood, Balinor sleeping on blissfully unaware.
It was twenty minutes later when Arthur strode into the audience chamber with Gwen, carrying Balinor. He smiled as he approached Gaius, who bowed.
"Its so good to see you all" he said, meaning it. Then he looked at Morgana, before turning away.
"My liege may I present her Royal majesty, Queen Andrea of Karish" said Freya, bowing. Arthur walked to the regal looking woman, bowing as he stopped before her.
"It is an honour" he said. She smiled and returned the bow.
"I assure you it is mine" she said, "Karish owes Camelot a great deal" she said.
"No, your citizens aided one of our own without asking anything in return, it is use who owed you the debt" he replied. She smiled again, it faltered for a moment.
"Camelot has had a time of it recently, the Shade just one among them" she said. Arthur nodded.
"You know then, about our own battle" he said.
"The Queen was kind enough to give us food and shelter after we were saved" said Kyle, from the middle of the line.
"Then Camelot owes you yet again" Arthur replied.
"No, there is no debt, your supplies helped us more than you can ever know in our war against the Dark Dragons, what is one life, or even five, compared to hundreds" she said. Arthur smiled and then gestured for Gwen to join them.
"May I introduce my wife, Guinevere" he said. Gwen bowed.
"My Lady" she said. Andrea, smiled at her, then looked at Balinor.
"Your child?" she asked. Arthur shook his head.
"no, this is my ward, Balinor" he said. "the son of a, very dear friend" he said.
"I see" Andrea said, smiling at the boy, who was clutching back into Gwen.
"I'm sorry, he's very shy with new people" Gwen said. Andrea nodded.
"It is understandable, we saw what happened at the Fortress, the battle with Merlin" she said. Arthur frowned.
"the queen has magic" said Morgana speaking up. Arthur looked at Andrea, and nodded.
"I see" he said. Then he smiled. "Well I take it you must be weary from your trip, please, allow my servant to show you to a suitable room, perhaps you may dine with us later, I'm afraid it will not be much however" he said. Andrea bowed.
"It is no bother, I have had some food brought with us from Karish, we too had to deal with the Shade once, so we know what the times following are like" she said.
"again you are most Gracious" Arthur replied. Andrea smiled, and then with a bow to those she had travelled with, left the room with George. Arthur watched her go then when the doors were closed, sat back, frowning.
"Sire?" asked Gwaine. Arthur looked at him then the others.
"Apologies, my mind has been fond of wondering these past few days, go, get some food and rest, all of you" he said. The group, except Morgana bowed, and then left the room. Gwen looking at Arthur.
"I don't trust her" he said softly. Gwen sighed and looked at him.
"Arthur, if this is about her having magic-"
"no, I trusted Merlin with my life and he had magic, its not that. She was too sure, too practiced" he said. Then he sighed, throwing his hands up, exasperated. "or perhaps I'm just, reading too much into it" he said.
"Possibly, I mean you've had a lot to deal with lately" said Gwen. Arthur looked at her and nodded.
"You're probably right" he agreed, but deep down he wasn't sure, not at all.
They awoke to stinging cold, snow blowing in the open door. Shivering Percival stood and closed it, looking around as Merlin and the others slowly sat up.
"What was that?" demanded Leon.
"I don't know" Merlin said, eyes narrowed. "Something new, powerful, something that doesn't belong" he said.
"More powerful than you?" asked Leon.
"Possibly" Merlin said, causing the others to look around at each other, aware of the cost that admission from their leader.
"Something to do with Arthur?" asked Percival. Merlin shook his head.
"no, I've not felt this before. But its familiar" he slammed the table as he leant on it. "Why?" he demanded. Slowly he looked over at the others.
"So what now?" asked Leon.
"We find and destroy it" Merlin said.
"I hope you will find this comfortable my lady" said George as he led her into the guest room. She smiled as she looked around.
"This will be perfect, thank you George" Andrea replied, looking at him. George bowed and stepped back.
"If you require anything please ask" he said.
"Thank you" she said. George bowed again and stepped out of the room. Andrea allowing the smile to fall from her face as she looked around, a moment later the door opened and Steven entered, bowing.
"My lady" he said.
"this will be easier than I believed" she muttered, going to the window. "This land is already defeated" she added. Behind her Steven stepped forwards.
"My lady?" he asked.
"I do not intend to allow Karish to be at anyone's Mercy again, and the only way to assure us of that is to make sure all lands bow to us" she announced. Steven bowed to her, but remained silent, slowly she turned to him.
"You do not approve?" she said.
"It is not my place to approve or not" he said. She sighed and went to him.
"Steven, you have been my right hand for many years, I believe we can be honest" she said.
"My lady, Camelot aided us, to attack them or plan it, it is wrong to me" he said. Andrea smiled at him.
"And too me my friend, but I must look out for Karish first, for there may come a time when we are not allies" she said. Steven bowed, but remained silent. "do not judge me now my friend" she said. "soon all lands will know the peace of Karish" she said.
"All lands my lady?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"All lands" she replied.
Dinner went pleasantly enough, Andrea explaining how they had managed to cleanse the soil enough to allow crops to grow again after the Shade, but she admitted, the Shade in Albion had been more powerful, so she wasn't sure it would work, before the topic turned to the other problem.
"These.. Death guard, the ones who were resurrected" she said. Arthur looked at her over his goblet while Gwen shifted uneasily.
"What of them?" he asked.
"Sorry, I know it must be painful for you, Gaius was kind enough to tell me a little about them. The Warlock, Merlin he was your dear friend wasn't he?" she asked. Arthur put the goblet down, and slowly nodded.
"Yes, but they were all my friends, Leon, Percival and Thomas. Dedicated until the end" he said.
"It was a large battle?" she asked.
"Large enough, we lost so many that day. That's why I had the monument built, so people would never forget" he said. Andrea smiled.
"Perhaps I should do that in Karish. That is the problem with wars, often it is the living who celebrate, yet there are those who do not return who deserve so much more recognition" she said.
"Very true" said Gwen, speaking up. Andrea smiled.
"Its strange, Merlin was much a hero in Karish" she said. "When he was found, near death, there was no indication he would prove to be our saviour" she said. "When he killed the Dark Dragon that day. It was if the people awoke, and then when the most powerful ones vanished, they rose up" she said.
"He'd be glad to hear that" said Arthur. Andrea nodded.
"But we still fear, the Matriarch, she is still somewhere at large, and we are preparing for the day we will have to deal with her" she looked up to see Arthur smiling.
"Have I amused you?" she asked, frowning. Arthur shook his head.
"No, not at all, except she came here to Camelot with her, what did Merlin call them? Brood" Arthur said.
"She's here?" asked Andrea, her eyes widening.
"In a sense" Arthur replied. "She's dead, they all are" he added. Andrea blinked.
"Surely there is some mistake, she was far too powerful, how would you have killed her?"
"Merlin.. again" said Arthur with a grin.
"He must indeed been powerful" she replied.
"It helped he was a Dragonlord" said Gwen with a smile. Andrea nodded, then smiled.
"My people, they will be overjoyed to hear she is gone" she sounded almost excited.
"when will you be returning to Karish?" asked Gwen pleasantly. Andrea smiled again.
"The day after tomorrow, I will be helping Freya and Morgana tomorrow, to see if we might somehow make the land fertile somehow" she explained. Gwen nodded.
"Your help is most appreciated" Arthur said. Andrea shook her head.
"It is nothing, the land is no good to anyone if it cannot flourish, as was the case in Karish" she said. Then she stood with a yawn.
"If I might be excused, I feel sleep creeping upon me" she said. Arthur nodded.
"Of course my lady" he said. She bowed to him and Gwen then left the room, as soon as the doors closed Gwen and Arthur looked at each other.
"What did she mean by that? The land is no good to anyone?" he asked. Gwen rolled her eyes.
"You're doing it again, seeing things that aren't there" she said. Arthur shook his head.
"I've never ignored my instincts Gwen, never" he said. Gwen smiled and shook her head.
"Arthur, at the moment, with all that is happening, can you honestly say they're right?" she asked.
"You don't find anything odd about her?"
"No. We aided her in a time of need and she want's to do something, no matter how small to aid us, is that so bad?" she asked.
"My father would be suspicious" Arthur said, looking back at the door.
"Arthur, if your father were here we would be at war with her because she has magic" Gwen pointed out. Arthur shook his head and looked at her.
"do you always have to be right?" he asked.
"no, but it keeps you on your toes" she replied with a grin.
Andrea rushed to her chambers, smiling brightly, Steven looking up as she entered.
"my Lady?" he asked. She looked at him, still smiling.
"The Matriarch, it came here" she said. Steven's face fell.
"then we must return to ready our-"
"No… it is dead" she said. Steven blinked at her, then shook his head.
"How could they have destroyed it?" he asked. She looked back at him from the window where she had moved to.
"That… Merlin, was also a Dragonlord apparently" she explained. Steven moved up behind her.
"And? The Dark Dragons heeded to no Dragonlord" he said.
"Indeed, but don't forget he was also a powerful Warlock" she reminded. Steven nodded, then looked away.
"Has this… altered your plans?" he asked hesitantly. Andrea smiled and then shook her head.
"no, if anything we can begin ahead of time" she said. Then she turned away going to the bed. Steven walked to the door.
"Steven" she said she sat down on the mattress. He did not turn back. "I do this for Karish, not because I want to" she said.
"Of course. Good night my lady" he said, before he opened the door and walked out.
Morgana opened her door, her eyes widening slightly at the person before her.
"Arthur, of all people I hardly expected you to come to darken my door" she muttered.
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important" he said. Morgana frowned, then pulled the door open and Arthur walked in. Morgana hissed as she settled into a chair.
"Painful?" asked Arthur closing the door and looking at her.
"Please don't pretend to care, its insulting to the both of us" she snarled the response, "Now what do you want" she demanded.
"Its Andrea" he said. "I don't trust her" he blurted out. Morgana blinked and frowned, and Arthur wondered for the life of him why he had come to her of all people.
"Really? Well, that is a surprise" she said. "For once we agree" she added. Arthur blinked.
"You don't trust her either?" he asked. Morgana shook her head.
"No. She knew far too much about the Shade, far too much about what was happening here, and when Merlin sent his pet Dragon after us she wasn't as surprised or annoyed as I would have been" she said.
"The Dragon? Merlin sent Kilgharrah after you?" Arthur asked. Morgana sighed.
"Is the conversation about The Dragon or Andrea?" she snapped. Arthur blinked, then nodded.
"Andrea" he agreed. Morgana nodded and leant back as far as she could.
"Tell me, why do you distrust her?" she said. Arthur shrugged.
"there's something about her. She's too prepared, too willing to help. Yes we sent her some supplies, but that doesn't mean we're best friends" he said. Morgana considered his words for several moments, then nodded.
"I have no answers for you" she said at length. "Except she must be watched"
"well that's helpful" Arthur muttered. Morgana sat up, wincing.
"What did you expect? No I do not trust the woman, but I don't trust anyone" she sniped. Arthur nodded, and turned away.
"Then I'm sorry I wasted your time" he said as he opened the door. "I'll see if Gaius can get you some pain relief" he added as he closed the door. Morgana stared at it for a moment then stood, moving to the window. They were not friends, not even close. Once it had been different. Then the magic had started, and the people she thought of as friends, they had turned away from her, shunned her when she needed help. The Ironic thing about it, the first person who had found out, the first person who had at least tried to help her, had been a magic user himself. He could have helped her, shown her what to do, but instead he had sent her to the Druids, and that was the day Lady Morgana had died. Not with her manipulations with Morgause, not with her constant plotting, no. It was the day she went to the Druids, accepted she was a magic user, and realised how much she hated Uther. Now she realised, as she looked out of the window, she hated Arthur yes, and Gwen for taking her throne. But she hated one person above all others. Merlin. He had killed the Lady Morgana, left her this twisted, bitter woman, now scarred. She smiled suddenly. It was a liberating thought, to realise who your true enemy was. Emry's would lead to her downfall, she had been told. But he had let Morgana fall long before she had been told that. Slowly she smiled, despite the pain. She know what she would do, she would help Arthur, and when the Time came to deal with Merlin, well her revenge would be that much sweeter. And if Freya got caught up in it, too bad, with that final thought in her head, she moved to the bed and got in, staring at the window as her plan for revenge grew.
The following day Freya and Morgana left the city with Andrea, their task to see if they could make the land fertile again, Morgana watching Andrea closely all the time, also aware that her ever present Bodyguard was nearby, even though he seemed very preoccupied and quiet.
"Here should suffice" said Andrea when they had moved about a quarter of a mile from the city. The group stopped, looking around.
"And why here?" asked Freya. Morgana wondering the same thing.
"because this area has no rotting trees, nothing to interfere with what we have to do" Andrea explained, as Steven handed her a vial. Kneeling down, she uncorked it, pouring it onto the dead ground, Freya and Morgana watching with interest. Andrea looked at Steven, and held out her hand, Steven handing her an acorn, which she placed in the centre of the spot she had just poured the contents of the vial on.
"Limuna" she said softly. Nothing happened at first, then the acorn began to vanish into the earth. She watched for a moment then stood.
"Well?" asked Morgana.
"Did it work?" added Freya. Andrea looked down at the spot and frowned.
"This, this was a powerful Shade" she said. Then shook her head. "the magic is not taking to the earth" she expanded, then looked at the two women. "For what it's worth, I am sorry" she said.
"What id all three of you try?" said Steven stepping forwards. Andrea looked at him, giving a look that might have been contempt, aware that behind her, Freya and Morgana also watched. Slowly she nodded and forcing a smile turned back to the others.
"We can but try" she said, kneeling down again. She looked up at Morgana and Freya and gestured them to kneel with her. They looked at each other, then did so.
"The spell itself is simple, but you must be sure your mind is clear when you cast it, no doubt's no hesitations" she explained. The two women nodded and then held their hands over the spot.
"Limuna" they all intoned, watching the ground. Slowly they looked at each other, then Andrea shook her head again.
"I am sorry" she said again, then frowned as, from beneath the ground there was a ripping noise. Freya's eyes widening as from the centre of the spot, a thing, green tendril began to sprout, the area around it, slowly becoming a soft shade of green as grass began to sprout from the ground.
"I take it back, there is some hope after all" she admitted. Turning her friendly gaze towards Steven where it became hard, a look not unnoticed by someone who was watching for it. Morgana slowly stood, Freya with her. Andrea following a moment later. Andrea looked at the two women.
"It will take several weeks, but the land will live again" she said, then without another word, she walked away.
Nearly an hour later, Arthur looked up as Morgana entered the audience chamber. He held up his hand for silence, then spoke.
"Morgana?" he asked, aware of the distrusting looks everyone was giving him.
"I think we need to talk, in private" she said. Arthur frowned, but slowly nodded.
"Leave us" he ordered the council members, they looked concerned, between their King and their enemy.
"Oh please, If I wanted to kill Arthur he would already be dead" she said, watching as the council members slowly left the room, the doors closing behind them.
"Well?" asked Arthur.
In her chambers Andrea was livid, pacing the room like a caged animal.
"I trusted you" she snarled. Steven however for once did not look away.
"As I trusted you my lady. You had no intention of healing this land, not until it was yours" he stated. She stopped pacing and turned to glare at him.
"And now instead of a beaten land we will have to march our forces here that much faster before than can recover!" she roared. Steven shook his head.
"I have known you for eight years my lady, never once in that time have I had cause to doubt you, but this.. this is wrong" he snapped.
"Why is the protection of our land wrong?" she demanded.
"Because I have seen these people, as have you, they have aided us without knowing us, not asking anything in return except shelter from the Shade!" he suddenly snapped.
"then you are a fool, we have known many times in the past one days ally is another days enemy, have you learned nothing?" she sneered.
In the audience chamber, Arthur was watching Morgana as she gathered her thoughts. Finally she nodded.
"The 'cure' took to the land" she said. Arthur smiling at the news. Morgana shook her head, "but don't think she is any friend of yours. I saw the look on her face, she wanted it to fail, if not for her bodyguard, she was willing to give up on one try" she explained, "and she was not happy when it succeeded" she added.
"But this makes no sense" said Arthur.
"Then you Arthur, are as blind as you are a fool" she spat.
"So, what will you do?" asked Steven looking at Andrea. She glared at him.
"The only thing I can do, now you have forced my hand, I will take Camelot now" she said, storming out. Steven snarled, as he ran after her.
"How do I know you're not lying?" asked Arthur. "With new allies Camelot can only grow stronger" he said. Morgana grabbed his arms in rage.
"You came to me, and asked a favour, now granted I chose to do that favour not out of any respect to you but for what is rightfully mine. You said yourself, you do not trust her, now you not only doubt what I have said, but your own instincts" she hissed at him. Arthur blinked, shaking his head.
"No.. No I trust my instincts" he said.
"Then listen to what they are saying!" she yelled, even as outside there were several screams and crashes. Morgana whirled around, even as Arthur unsheathed his sword. A moment later the doors burst open and Andrea sauntered in, Steven behind her, before the doors slammed shut, sealing Arthur and Morgana inside the room with the insane queen and her bodyguard, Steven. Arthur glared at her, sword held high.
"What did you do?" asked Arthur, his sword wavering. Andrea smiled at him, then looked at Morgana.
"You think, that all this, everything that has transpired has been because of them because of Merlin and the others?" she asked. Arthur frowned.
"You only know Karish as a broken land, a land beaten down by the rule of the Dark Dragons, but it is that no longer, I have magic, and I have used it" she said. Morgana's eyes went wide.
"You…"
"Yes" Andrea said with a smile. Arthur shook his head.
"I don't understand" he admitted.
"Merlin and the others came back wrong, the resurrection went wrong!" said Morgana. "It wasn't the spell at all, it was her!" she yelled.
"And now, my Death Guard shall bring terror to all the lands" Andrea said. "And if they do not bow to me then they too shall suffer from the Shade" she said.
"But we helped you, we were you allies!" roared Arthur, the guards pounding on the doors outside.
"Better to conquer a defeated Ally, then war with a strong opponent" said Morgana. "The shade, in your land, you set it in motion didn't you?" Morgana snapped.
"Of course, our ruler was weak, incapable of nothing but the most menial of tasks. It was under him that we fell to the Dark Dragons. The Dark Dragons, that I summoned! Who better to rule then me!" she said. "Now I think its time to assert my rule here" she said. "Steven, kill them" she ordered. Steven stepped forwards, Andrea's smile turning to a sneer as he turned around, standing next to Arthur.
"My son was four when the Shade took him. The Shade YOU released" he snarled. "He wasn't a strong child, and when the Shade took him he had a fever. And when you saved us… when you destroyed the Shade. My son still died, and the Dragons, all those years lived under the fear of enraging them…. And it was you all along." he was shaking now, fury on his face. "So no your highness.. I will not be doing your bidding" he snarled. Andrea looked at him, then at the others.
"So be it, traitor" she said, then she smiled, four whirlwinds appearing behind her, Merlin, Thomas, Leon and Percival appearing.
"What is this?" demanded Merlin.
"My Death Guard" she said, then pointed at Arthur and the others. "I think I would like you to kill them" she said. Merlin nodded then looked at Thomas and the others, before Percival gripped her tightly.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
"No one commands us" sneered Merlin.
"But I created you!" she screamed.
"Even so, we are so much greater than you" Thomas said as Merlin's hands began to glow.
"Merlin-" said Arthur, forgetting for one moment, only to be blasted back by Merlin. Steven helping him to his feet.
"You may have created us, but I was so much more powerful than you to begin with" Merlin said, totally ignoring Arthur. Andrea's eyes glowed briefly, even as behind them the doors slammed open, Freya, Rory, and the other knights rushing in, weapons bared.
"Good bye, my lady" Hissed Merlin, and then with a thrust, punched into Andrea with his glowing fist. The queen screamed, and Percival let her go, even as she became enveloped in a flaming ball, her flash burning, even though she was still screaming, until finally that ceased, all that was remaining was her charred corpse. Merlin looked at it, then kicked it smiling, before he turned to Arthur and the others.
"Don't even think we did this to save you" he said, then they vanished, wind whipping around the room as they did so.
"I don't" muttered Arthur. Beside him, Steven dropped his sword to the floor, falling to his knees, Arthur turned to him.
"My lady's treachery can never be forgiven" Steven said. Arthur shook his head.
"But your honour is intact" Arthur said. "Morgana told me of what transpired while you were out, and how you spoke up on our lands behalf, you have nothing to atone for, what happened was her own doing" Arthur stated.
"What will happen in Karish now she's dead?" asked Gwen. Steven shook his head.
"A new ruler will be sworn in, but I will ensure there are no reprisals on Camelot, once the truth comes out about what she set in motion…." His voice trailed off. Arthur nodded, patting the mans shoulder.
"How can one woman be so twisted to hate so much?" Steven asked at length. Arthur didn't reply, but he did look at Morgana. Slowly she turned away, hobbling out of the room.
"There are many reasons" Arthur said, still looking after the retreating woman. "Sometimes its difficult to see, other times… other times its in plain sight" he said softly. At the door, Morgana paused briefly, then she carried on. Arthur aware, all the while, that he was also talking of himself.
"Oh how touching" mocked Merlin as he watched the scene unfolding before him, the others standing around him. Slowly he waved his hand over the image, it changing to show a village full of people, trying to work the land, rebuild their homes, while children sat in a circle around an old woman who was talking to them. "I think its time we reminded Arthur just what we are capable of" he said.
"No survivors?" asked Leon. Merlin slowly grinned.
"None at all" he answered, before they vanished, the image becoming animated as they appeared in the circle of the children, people began screaming… but they were true to their word.
None survived.
Merlin
Gambit
8/14
"They say you know when death is around, you can sense it, smell it. Feel its lingering cold touch on your flesh. That is the nature of life itself, of magic. But death had come to this village, far too swift, far too brutally to be anything natural. That was day I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter the cost to me, to my friends, that was the day I knew Merlin had to die, and if there is one thing I have learned, from everyone. The best way to fight magic is with magic. And that day, that was the beginning of the end"
Arthur turned away from the corpses that littered the ground before him. Men, women, children. Some burnt, some stabbed, and some torn to shreds, as if attacked by wild animals. Behind him he heard Elyan retching.
"If Arthur wants a fight, then he will have one, and this time it will be a very, different outcome" said Merlin, as he turned to their captive. Beside them, Thomas clapped him around the head.
"I will not aid you Emrys" Mordred said. "what you do. This is leading to your own downfall"
Rory and Gwen ran from the castle even as part of it exploded upwards in a fireball, Merlin standing on the battlements.
"Come on sire, surely you have been longing for this day" said Leon as he circled Arthur, weapon drawn.