8/14
Merlin
Gambit
"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, it is that the best way to fight magic is with magic. And that day, I knew, that was the beginning of the end" – Arthur Pendragon.
The news had come early, Arthur setting out with Gwaine and Elyan, the panic in the villager's eyes, too clear, too powerful to be a lie. Tal'Damia was not a large village, and siuated as it was on Camelot's southern boarders, was also its furthest one, sharing its boarders with Brayards kingdom. The several miles approaching the village was still nothing but hard, dead dirt, the corpses of trees and bushes lining the landscape like ancient, withered claws thrusting from the ground, the putrid remains of animal carcasses littered the ground every so often, now being deal with by the vermin that was slowly taking over, flies and the like dancing around the dead beasts, going to swarm as the horses thundered past, only to land once again, intent on their meal. Arthur didn't care about any of this, not about rotting carcasses, vermin, none of it mattered, because as horrible as those sights were, the horror in the villagers eyes had been so much worse.
It was near to midday when the three of them reached the outskirts of the village, dismounting slowly. They had seen the smoke rising to the air from a mile back, and it had spurned them on more, but now, Arthur wished with all his heart that he hadn't been so eager to reach Tal'Damia. The smoke they had seen in the distance had been from the burnt out houses , beside him, the normally chatty Gwaine remained silent, a testament to what they were witness to the aftermath of. What had happened here, this had been no simple attack, no, this, had been wholesale slaughter of innocents, simply because they could do it. 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. Taking a breath, wishing he hadn't done so, Arthur turned to Gwaine and Elyan, who was wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Spread out" he ordered, of course, it was futile, there was nothing and nobody left alive in this place. Slowly Arthur moved forwards, trying to, and failing to avert his gaze from the bodies that littered the ground. One of them, an old man, still had his eyes open, his mouth slightly open, the unseeing gaze seemingly to track Arthur, as if to say you failed us! Arthur tore his gaze away, only to find himself looking at the body of a young woman, holding a small babe in her arms. The woman had been beautiful at one time, golden locks, falling across a soft face, but the illusion was ruined by the blossom of red that now fought with the soft blue of its original colour. Slowly Arthur turned away, feeling his cheeks going gold with the tears that fell from his eyes. Elyan looked back, seeing his king brought so low, wishing he could help in some small way, Gwaine doing his avid best to avoid the corpses around him as he searched. Arthur stood there for several moments, which was when he heard the noise, a soft sigh. He looked around, seeing nothing but smoking buildings, corpses and his two friends, and neither of them had stopped, or shown any indication they had heard the noise. Slowly he went to move, then it came again, louder. A second later he saw movement just below him, and looking down he saw that the held baby, was slowly moving, its mouth opening, before it gave out a plaintive cry, the knights turned back, hearing the noise, watching as the Arthur took the baby from the dead woman, aware of her blood that marred its tine face.
"sire?" asked Elyan coming over, looking at it, glad to be looking at something alive.
"I… I thought it was dead" Arthur stammered. Elyan nodded and looked around.
"Its lucky, nothing else lives here" he said quietly, even as Gwaine came running around the corner of one of the larger buildings.
"Sire!" he called out, Arthur turning to face him. "You'd better see this" Gwaine said. Arthur nodded and Elyan held out his hands to take the baby, but without a word Arthur shook his head, walking towards Gwaine.
"What is it?" Arthur asked as he approached. Gwaine looked briefly at the baby, then looked at Arthur, before pointing to a small recessed wall.
"There" he said. Arthur slowly moved forwards, looking into the small recess, seeing the symbol there, drawn in dark red blood. A spiral with a spear going through it, his blood seemed to chill, for he had seen this symbol before, when he had been acting the mindless slave in Merlin's fortress home.
"Death Guard" he muttered, turning away, even as the baby began to wail again.
"Orders?" asked Elyan, all business. Arthur took a deep breath, then nodded.
"First things first, I want the dead rounded up and cremated, I couldn't help them in life and I'll be damned if they become vermin food in death" Arthur said. "Then we return to Camelot" he added.
"Arthur, You can't fight him, not alone" said Gwen. Elyan frowning. Arthur looked at him.
"This has gone far enough Gwaine. Merlin dies" Arthur replied, turning away, aware of the knights gazes upon him. Slowly he walked back to the woman who had been the baby's mother, and knelt down, whispering to her.
"I hope you can hear me, whoever you are, and I am sorry that I didn't protect you, but I promise your child will live as full a life as I can give her" he said.
"Tut tut tut" said Thomas, standing beside Merlin as they watched Arthur from the scrying portal. "You missed one, not like you" he added. Merlin turned to look at him and shrugged.
"I think the point was well made however" said Merlin. "Arthur will start to grow desperate, he'll make mistakes, and that will make him a lot easier to deal with" he said, turning away from the image. In the corner of the freezing little hut Leon snorted.
"Dunno why we don't kill the bastard king and be done with it" he said. Merlin sighed, and rolled his eyes.
"Leon, I don't want to kill Arthur, not until the end, not until he is truly defeated, and then, when he admits I am and always was superior, then maybe, I'll let him die" Leon looked up and shook his head.
"you play a dangerous game Merlin, be sure you are not giving him enough rope to hang you by" he cautioned.
"At this rate Leon the only person hanging will be you" Merlin shot back, "or do I have to give you another example of my wrath?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Enough" snapped Thomas, both men glancing at him.
"you have something to add?" asked Merlin. Thomas shook his head, frowning, then smiling.
"Percival is bringing us a guest, and I'm certain you'll want to see them" he said focusing on Merlin.
"who?" asked Merlin. Thomas smiled, and turned away. "Who?" demanded Merlin again.
"I think I'll let you have a pleasant surprise, it might cheer you up a little" Thomas said.
The sun was sitting, and the group worked in silence as they set fire to the bodies of the villagers, paying silent respects to them. And it had fully set when they finally remounted their horses and made for Camelot, Arthur holding the baby the entire time, and it was near midnight when they rode back into the castle, before they dismounted, handing the reigns of the horses to the stable hand, before heading into the castle.
"Arthur?" Gwen's sweet voice carried down the near deserted hallway, and he turned as she moved to him.
"I expected you back long ago, I was worried" she said, even as she examined the faint lines in his face. "Arthur what happened?" she asked softly. He shook his head.
"I don't want to talk about it" he said softly, then held out the baby. Gwen frowned, noticing it for the first time.
"Arthur?" she was utterly confused now as she took it from him, then looking at him again.
"She was the only survivor" he told her. Gwen looked down at the baby, then nodded at Arthur, who turned away to Gwaine and Elyan.
"Call the knights and council, emergency meeting" he said, moving away briskly. They nodded, and went to move past Gwen, who caught Elyan's arm.
"Elyan?" she asked softly. He looked at her, his eyes wanting to tell her what had happened, but all he did was shake his head, then pull away to catch up with Gwaine, Gwen watching him go, before looking back at the baby.
"I'm sorry to call you here so late, so I will make this as brief as possible" said Arthur as he stood before the Council and the knights. Gwen was there, still holding the baby, while Freya held the sleeping Balinor, standing close to Rory. Arthur nodded at Elyan and Gwaine.
"As you know we received word that Tal'Damia had been attacked, and so we went to investigate" he said. "When we arrived all we found were corpses, burnt buildings. And one baby that had survived" continued looking around the room. "Upon further investigation we found that the symbol of the Death Guard painted on a wall in blood, Merlin and the others carried out this slaughter" he said. There was a murmur around the room, but Arthur held up his hands. "I speak now as a King who has lost a great deal to them. As have we all. This night, Camelot declares open war on the Death Guard" he announced, the murmurs grew louder, but Gaius's voice carried out above the others.
"Do you even know where they are?" he asked. Arthur shook his head.
"No, which brings me to my second point" he said. "What do you know of seekers?" he asked. Freya gasped, and Gwen looked at her, concerned.
"Sire, seekers are notorious in their dealings, they have no loyalties, and their prices are often steep" said Gaius.
"Nevertheless, they are our best hope of finding Merlin" Arthur said. Gaius shook his head, but remained silent.
"I need to know the name of a seeker, one who still lives" Arthur said.
"Sire, In that I cannot help you" said Gaius.
"Cannot or will not?" asked Morgana. Gaius gave her a cold look.
"Cannot, I do not know of any seekers that still live" he said. Arthur nodded and looked at Freya, she too shook her head.
"A lot of them fell to Uther's hunters and witch finders, If any do exist Then I do not know where" she admitted.
"Morgana?" asked Arthur, not looking at her. Morgana gave a short, sharp laugh.
"If I knew then I would tell you, but I have never had the need for seekers for I have always known where my enemies were" she stated.
"Does anyone know?" asked Arthur, loudly. The room remained silent. Then Rory slowly cleared her throat.
"Sire, no one here may know, but there is one thing that might" she said. Arthur looked at her, and Rory turned her attention to the sleeping Balinor.
Percival had indeed returned with their guest, but Merlin was watching the scene unfolding before him, more interested in that at the moment.
"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" Merlin looked at the boy, and then laughed, as he stepped slowly towards him.
"Oh, you will help me" he insisted, kneeling down, so he could stare Mordred in the face. "You will help me because if you don't then I will make certain your precious Morgana doesn't live to see the light of dawn again" he said, the he ruffled the boys hair. "And I know how much you care for her" he added, standing. Mordred's eyes never moving from him. "So, Arthur wishes to find himself a seeker" said Merlin, looking at Mordred.
"Where?" he asked. Mordred turned away, Merlin sighed and glanced at Thomas.
"It is cosmically unjust that I can intimidate the adults so easily and yet have so much trouble with children" he said, then he grinned. "I think we need to teach our guest some manners" he added. Thomas smiled. Leon looked away to Percival, then stormed out even as the first fist hit. Percival glowered, then also walked out, Merlin too rapt on the beating being handed out.
Outside, Percival found Leon pacing angrily.
"They are going insane" Leon spat. Percival looked at him, but remained silent.
"Both of them" he added, then he spun on Percival. "The slaughter of women and children, the beating of children, even I fear where they will go next" he growled.
"And what would you have us do?" asked Percival, "Merlin has already nearly killed you once, and I doubt he will let anything happen to Thomas" he added. Leon turned to him.
"True, Thomas we can kill, but Merlin will be the bigger threat" he said. "But there will come a time when he will be weak enough to strike down and I will be ready for him" Leon vowed.
"And Thomas? All it will take is one of his visions and we're both dead men" Percival said. Leon looked away, taking a deep breath.
"Then there is but one course we can take" he said. "We leave, now, and declare our own war on them, even a powerful sorcerer cannot fight two wars at once" Percival laughed at him.
"You're an idiot, we are but two men, a minor annoyance if nothing else" he replied.
"Then its high time they found out how much of a 'minor' annoyance we can be. If we cannot battle him on our own then we will do so with others"
"Such as?"
"Arthur" came the reply. Percival blinked, aware of Leon looking at him. Inside the hut, the sounds of the beatings became louder, as did the cries of pain. "Well?" asked Leon. Percival looked at him, then at the hut, then back at him.
"What of the boy?" he asked.
"Casualty of war" Leon replied. Percival nodded, then together they made their way quickly through the snow.
"The seekers of Thanor, still live" muttered Mordred, his nose bleeding, his eye swollen, but he did not cry. Merlin smiled and nodded.
"See, now was that so difficult" he asked. Mordred was shaking, but not from pain as he looked at Merlin.
"Your downfall has begun" Mordred said quietly. Merlin frowned at him, then shrugged, picking up a knife from the table. Thomas held him tightly as Merlin advanced.
"Thank you for your advice, now, you poor little Druid, I think we should send you on your way" his voice broke into a laugh as Merlin held the knife back.
"Merlin, please" said Mordred. The knife wavered for an instant.
"Mordred? What?" he asked, confused. Thomas, looked at him then poked Merlin in the arm.
"Merlin, kill the little brat and be done with it" Thomas said. Merlin frowned, then shook his head, clearing it.
"Oh, very good, get into my head. Nice try" Merlin snarled, raising the knife again.
Emrys the voice sounded in his head, forcefully, Mordred never wavering in his gaze.
"I said, get out of my head!" Merlin roared at him.
"your friends are gone" Mordred replied aloud. Merlin blinked, then looked at the door, before he moved over and opened it. The heavy snow that was falling had covered their tracks.
"Your downfall begins" The boy replied, before with a final blow to the side of the head from Thomas, he fell unconscious. Merlin looked out into the snow filled landscape, and roared in anger.
Kilgharrah landed with a thump on the ground, glaring at Arthur who held Balinor in his arms. He had brought Balinor out to the dead clearing to call the Dragon rather than risk having it summoned within the city walls. Balinor was a Dragonlord yes, but he was only a small child and Arthur wasn't sure how much true control he had over the creature.
"Why have you summoned me mortal?" it hissed.
"We need information" Arthur said. Kilgharrah reared back, roaring into the night sky, before his two front legs hit the ground with a heavy thud.
"I DO NOT ANSWER TO YOU!" the dragon roared at him.
"Nevertheless I hold the Dragonlord, he is my charge, and you will answer to me!" Arthur yelled back defiantly.
"You hold the Dragonlord for but the moment, one day, you will not have that luxury" it snarled in reply, eyes narrowing. Arthur stepped forwards, Balinor clinging to him, even as it stared at the Dragon.
"I need to know where Merlin is" Arthur said.
"need to know.. need to know, I can answer that quite easily, I do not know" it replied.
"Then I need to know where to find a seeker" Arthur said. The Dragon roared in cruel twisted laughter.
"that knowledge will do you no good Arthur, what is done is done, You have beaten back the Shade, but Merlin is an entirely different matter" it hissed.
"You will tell me where to find a seeker and you will tell me now!" roared Arthur. The Dragon reared back, then leant its head forwards, eyes narrowed.
"Very well, if that is what you wish, the Seekers of Thanor are what you need, but know this, Merlin already knows of your plans and has set his own in motion" it said as it took flight.
"What plans?" yelled Arthur, but the Dragon chose not to reply, flying off into the night. With a weary sigh he turned, running back towards the city.
"The Seekers of Thanor" said Arthur as he stood in Gaius's chambers with Gwen, Rory, Gwaine, Elyan, Freya and Morgana. "Which is where?" he asked.
"Sire, Thanor isn't a place" said Gaius. Arthur looked at him. "It is the remains of a creature" he said.
"What can that do to help?" asked Arthur.
"forgive me, it is the remains of a creature near the Swamp of Golar" he added. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Figures they would be in a difficult place to find them" he said. The Swamps had many legends surrounding them, not least of which was that only one person had ever managed to cross the Swamp safely, and he had taken a very long time to do so.
"You can't be serious" said Gwen looking at him. Arthur nodded.
"I have to be, if this is how we find Merlin and the others, then this is what needs to be done" he said. "everyone get some sleep, Elyan, Gwaine, you're with me" he said.
"What about me?" asked Rory. Arthur shook his head.
"You and Kyle will need to stay here, Merlin wants me dead, but that doesn't mean he won't attack here" he added. Rory nodded, not pleased, but seeing the logic.
"Sire, I must caution against this" Gaius said. Arthur looked at him.
"I know, but this has to be done" Arthur replied.
"These seekers, did the Dragon say what they would demand in return for their help?" asked Freya. Arthur shook his head.
"no" he admitted. Morgana let out a slow sigh.
"Whatever the price is, you can guarantee it will be a high one" she said. Arthur looked at her, then nodded.
"Then I will pay it" he said. "You have your orders, now get to them" he said briskly, turning and walking out, Gwen cast one last look at the others, before following her husband out.
"Arthur this insane" she said as she caught up to him, Arthur continued walking towards his chambers as he glanced at her.
"Gwen the matter is closed" he said.
"Arthur stop and think for just one damned moment" she said. "You have no idea of what they'll ask for payment, your life, your throne, it could be anything!" she protested. Arthur did stop then, and whirled to face her.
"Gwen, you didn't see that village, the mindless slaughter, the old, the infirm, children, men and woman Gwen, all of them dead, I cannot see that and allow the people responsible to remain at large" he snapped.
"So getting yourself killed is going to make it so much better" she snapped.
"It won't come to that" he insisted.
"How do you know?" she asked. Arthur looked away, then back at her.
"Just trust me, please" he said. Gwen was angry, he could tell by the way her mouth was set, the way her eyes couldn't meet his. Slowly he put his hands on her shoulders.
"Please" he said softly. Gwen shook her head and pulled away, remaining silent as she walked on ahead. Arthur following her movements.
The Seekers of Thanor were a group of six people, all blind. They consisted of Three men and three women of varying ages. They sat in a loose circle on the floor, facing a large crystal situated in the covered rib cage of some ancient dead beast, their mind showing them images form the ages. It was said a Seeker gave up the ability to see in order to access the magical properties of these large crystals. Their minds now showing what their eyes could not.
"So you're the vaulted seekers" said Merlin appearing behind them.
"Young Emry's, long have we been expecting you" said one of the men. "As it was written so long ago, so shall it come to pass" he added.
"Oh, please, no more drivel about destiny and that crap, I followed my vaunted destiny and all it got me in the end was a funeral pyre, so thank you but no, my life is my own now" he sneered.
"One cannot change ones fate Emry's" said a young woman. "Your destiny is far from complete your death was but the first milestone"
"The great Dragon Kilgharrah, has lied to you from the beginning, he was correct in certain aspects, that you would help bring magic back to the land, but in other things…" the first man spoke up again. Despite his feelings, Merlin narrowed his eyes.
"Such as what?" he demanded.
"That knowledge cannot be yours in this current state, but your destiny is entwined with someone else's as well as Arthur's" he replied. "The Dragon never told you the whole truth"
"You will tell me now or I will make your deaths painful" Merlin said, stepping forwards, eyes glowing faintly.
"We are to die by your hand anyway, so such threats are unnecessary" said the Woman. Merlin roared and grabbed her, choking the life from her, his hands glowing as he did so. The man looked up at the noise, but made no other move.
"kill us if you will Emry's, your destiny is now on a new path, one that even you cannot avoid" said the man. Merlin stepped to him, and then he raised his hands. The Seekers did not even scream as he snuffed their lives out. Finally when the man who had spoken died, then did Merlin look at the crystal, and with a roar shattered it into fragments, before, with a snarl, he vanished in a whirlwind of energy.
Thomas looked up as Merlin appeared, face angry, he advanced on Mordred, the boy looking up at him.
"You will tell me what the Dragon lied about" Merlin roared. "And you will tell me now, because the beating that Thomas gave you is nothing compared to what I can do!" he roared. Mordred opened his one good eye, the other one having swollen shut.
"I do not know" the boy said. Merlin grabbed him and hauled him to his feet.
"Then I suggest you find out" he said, throwing him against the wall.
"What happened there?" asked Thomas looking at him, Merlin glared at him and Thomas was thrown against the wall hard.
"That is none of your concern" Merlin said, Thomas glaring at him as he stood, watching as Merlin paced the cabin.
"I will not have my life set out like a book for people to turn the page on!" Merlin roared, then turned to Mordred. The boy looked at him, but remained slumped on the floor. With a snarl Merlin stormed out of the hut. Thomas looking after him, then at Mordred, before he helped him up.
"If I was you, I would find out what those seekers told him" Thomas said. Mordred looked at him, then back at the open door.
"I cannot" said Mordred. "To do so will cause harm to everyone" Mordred said. Thomas shook his head.
"A bit of information versus Merlin's rage? If I were you boy, I know what one I would choose" Thomas said, Mordred watching him as he walked away.
Arthur, Gwaine and Elyan left the castle just before sun up, galloping out at high speed, Gwen and Rory watching from her chamber windows. Balinor standing in his crib, blinking, while Gwen held the baby.
"You think they'll be alright?" asked Rory softly. Gwen slowly shook her head.
"I don't know what to think anymore Rory" she replied, just as softly. "Arthur is taking a mighty gamble with this Seeker business" she added, in her arms the baby scrunched its tiny face up, Rory looked at it and smiled, before turning her attention out of the window.
"We have to trust what he does is right" Rory said. Gwen looked at her.
"How can I have such faith in such a terrible plan?" asked Gwen, Rory smiled, lightly touching her arm.
"Because it is all we have at the moment" she admitted. Gwen nodded and turned to the window.
"I had thought that you would have objected, you have a lot at stake here as well" Gwen stated the baby moving softly in her arms.
"I know, but when I fought Thomas, in the fortress. I knew the man I had loved and married was gone, all that was, was an evil that wears his face" she said. Gwen turned to her, seeing tears stinging Rory's eyes. Gwen reached out with her free hand.
"I'm sorry Rory, I didn't mean to-" she began, Rory forced a smile, shaking her head.
"No, its okay" she insisted. "Thomas is dead, and if needed, he will die again" she said. Gwen looked away from her, nodding, as the two women carried on looking out of the window. Behind them Balinor watched in silence.
"TELL ME!" Roared Merlin as he beat at Mordred again. The boy was bleeding again, several cuts that had closed from his previous encounter were open again, but still, still the stubborn child refused to speak, or even cry out. Across the room, Thomas watched, wincing with every beat that hit the boy, yes he had beaten the boy earlier, but it was nothing compared to what was happening now. To say Merlin was going insane was an understatement, and truth was, Thomas was pretty certain the boy would soon be dead at this rate. But something had changed, the betrayal od Leon and Percival certainly, then whatever the Seekers had told Merlin.
"Merlin, if you beat him anymore he won't be in a position to tell you anything" Thomas said. Merlin turned his glare to him, the normal composure, the cool, calculating mind was almost gone, replaced by this savage vision.
"Then what would you do?" Merlin sneered.
"If the boy won't talk to protect himself, maybe he will do it to protect someone else" Thomas said. Merlin blinked, then suddenly lowered his hand.
"And what say you to that, druid?" asked Merlin as he grabbed the boy roughly.
"I will not tell you" Mordred stammered. Merlin slowly nodded then stood, pushing the boy, who stumbled roughly to Thomas, who grabbed him, while Merlin activated the scrying portal, which showed an image of Camelot, slowly he turned his dark gaze back to Mordred.
"Then watch, as your precious Morgana dies" Merlin said, then vanished. Mordred's eyes went wide, but Thomas gripped him tightly.
"I did warn you" Thomas said, holding the boy's head, forcing him to watch.
Strangely enough the Swamp of Golar was more alive than the rest of the kingdom. Live still eked out a living within its desolate boundaries, through the mist that hung over its desolate, dark waters, slowly Arthur dismounted his horse, moving slowly towards the edge of the mist.
"Gaius said the remains were on the southern edge of the Swamp" Arthur said to himself. Elyan came up beside him, pointing.
"That would put them that way" he offered. Arthur nodded.
"Through or around?" he queried.
"Normally I would say through, but with the stories of this place" Elyan replied shaking his head. "Sire, I would strongly suggest not entering the Swamp unless it becomes necessary" he said. Arthur nodded at him, as Gwaine stepped up beside them, looking out into the Swamp.
"well if you take out the creepy tress, the murky water, the mist, you might have a nice picnic spot" he said. Arthur and Elyan both looked at him.
"Why did I bring you again?" asked Arthur, looking at him. Gwaine smiled.
"My overly developed charm and humour?" he offered. Elyan rolled his eyes, even as Arthur shook his head, moving back towards the horses. Slowly he turned, walking back as he did so.
"You know Gwaine, I might have to remove your knighthood when we return and make you court jester" he said. Gwaine and Elyan laughed, then their eyes went wide.
"Sire!" yelled Elyan. Arthur drew his sword, spinning around just in time to deflect the blade that was headed for him.
"Come on sire, surely you have been longing for this day" said Leon as he circled Arthur, weapon drawn, a moment later Percival appeared behind him, weapon also drawn, even as Elyan and Gwaine ran forwards. Arthur remained silent as Leon stopped moving. Percival moving to his side.
"A pity, it would make this so much easier" said Leon, taking Arthur's silence as an admission. He looked at Percival then back at Arthur, before turning his sword blade down, embedded it into the ground.
"We have a natural enemy you and I" Leon explained.
"You seriously expect me to trust you after everything that has happened?" demanded Arthur, "I am many things, but I am no fool" he added.
"Oh, But you are, here you come on a merry little chase, when the chances are Merlin has already killed those you seek" Percival said.
"Give me one good reason why I should not strike you down now" Arthur whispered. Leon looked at him then, pointing to his milky, blind eye.
"Merlin is going insane, Thomas with him, they slaughter for no reason, they could strike at the heart of Camelot at any time, but instead they draw out what should be a simple battle, just because they want to see you beg for mercy as they destroy your kingdom around you" Leon said.
"I will never beg, especially to him" Arthur growled. Leon chuckled then, not a pleasant sound either.
"No, I didn't think you would" he agreed. "But far be it for me to offer my counsel" he added. "Make you choice Arthur Pendragon, help us kill Merlin or deal with him yourself"
Morgana turned the page in the book she was reading, scanning down it whilst Gaius worked across the room with Freya at his side. She scanned down the page, slowly, methodically, then turned it over, then she paused, frowning. It was a long incantation she had found, and the name of the spell was Seloulous la metra no, literally translated as Salvation of the damned. It had taken over a week, but soon her vengeance could begin again, she looked up at Gaius, when the room shook around them. Gaius and Freya glancing at each other then at her, another shake, this one accompanied by an explosion. Freya ran to the window, looking out.
"Merlin" she said softly, seeing him standing on the battlements, throwing magical fireballs and lightning everywhere.
"We have to get out of here" she said, turning back, even as the window behind her exploded inwards with a shower of glass.
Rory and Gwen ran from the castle even as part of it exploded upwards in a fireball, Merlin standing on the battlements, Rory holding a crying Balinor, Gwen the screaming baby. Merlin looked down at them and smiled, raising his arms, hurling a fireball at them, It was about to hit, when it suddenly reversed course, Merlin's eyes going wide as it hit the battlements, sending him flying back.
"hide now" said Balinor, sweating, even as Merlin staggered to his feet, below him, Gaius, Freya and Morgana ran from the flaming building. Following Gwen and Rory. Merlin looked down at them, his eyes going wide as his true target came into view.
"Slaptas" he intoned quietly, the ground beneath them exploded upwards, sending them flying. Gwen and Rory turning back to watch in horror.
"This was far too easy" Muttered Merlin, he turned to the bell tower, and holding out his hands ripped the supports away, it toppled forwards, Merlin smirking as Gaius, Freya and Morgana became buried beneath it.
"NO!" Screamed Mordred, as he watched the three figures become enveloped by the falling bell tower. Holding his arms tightly, Thomas still found himself struggling against the boy, who suddenly let out a scream of pure magical rage, Thomas being thrown hard into the wall, he felt his head hit the stone, then not much else as the world went dark. Mordred looked at him, then at the scrying portal, before, as fast as he could, he ran from the hut, tears streaking his face.
"NO!" Screamed Gwen, rushing forwards. Rory's eyes went wide and she went to grab her, but the damage was done.
"My lady" said Merlin. And then sent a jolt of lightning out towards her, Gwen's eyes went wide, before she was roughly shoved out of the way by Rory, who dropped Balinor to the ground with a soft thud. The lightning hit her in the back, sending her crashing forwards. Gwen cried out, in alarm, even as the ground below her exploded again. She went to grab Balinor, only to be thrown away by him.
"Balinor please!" she called. Balinor looked at her, blinking. Above them Merlin smiled.
"So young to be a hero" he muttered. "but who am I to argue" he snarled as the lightning lanced out towards the child. Gwen turned away as it hit him, unaware of the wall behind her crumbling. She turned at the last second, running for the doorway, even as it collapsed on her. On the battlements Merlin looked out as the castle continued to burn behind him. In the courtyard rubble was strewn across the ground from the collapsed buildings. People still ran screaming, Rory lay unmoving up against the wall, Balinor near her, also unmoving. Merlin smiled to himself.
"I win" he muttered, then vanished even as the remainder or the battlements collapsed.
"Arthur" said Elyan, as he, Arthur Gwaine and their two prisoners rode towards Camelot. In the distance smoke bellowed upwards. Arthur's face going white as a sheet.
"Merlin" muttered Leon, Arthur didn't care, all he knew was that he had left his castle, his kingdom almost undefended. He knew his Gambit would come at a price, but not this. This was more than even he could have bargained for. Beyond hearing, feeling only the agonising truth in his heart he sped his horse forwards, people moving out of the way as they helped each other. In some small part of his mind he knew he should have been more concerned than anyone about his people, but at the moment his thoughts were only for his family, so as he rode into the courtyard, he felt the tears falling as people battled to control the fire, to save what they could of the castle, he dismounted, running forwards.
"Gwen! GWEN!" he screamed, looking around, seeing Rory up against the wall, his heart breaking as he saw Balinor not far from her. He ran forwards, stumbling over fallen stone, reaching them, skidding to his knees.
"Balinor?" he said, picking up the limp child. He cried as heard Rory slowly move, in obvious pain.
"Rory?" he asked her. She moved over, her normally delicate face, a mess of blood.
"I tried Sire, I tried so hard" she said, breaking into a slow sob as she saw Balinor, Arthur reached out to her, stroking her face.
"I'm so sorry" he said softly.
"What in the hell?" asked Gwaine as the others finally arrived, Gwaine running over to him as soon as he saw his stricken friend.
"Gwen?" Arthur asked. Rory shook her head, pointing to the collapsed wall. Then she pointed to the other pile of rubble.
"Gaius, Freya, Morgana" she said, her voice breaking. Arthur began to openly cry, holding Balinor close to him, stroking his hair softly. Behind him there was a loud rumble, and he and the others turned to watch as the stone in the middle of the courtyard began to shove aside slowly, from beneath. Arthur just stared, even as Elyan and Gwaine moved forwards, pulling the stone away, a moment later Leon and Percival adding their help. A moment later Percival moved a large rock, to see Gaius looking up at him. The physician's eyes went wide, then wider still as Elyan helped him out, followed by Freya, even as Gwaine and Percival exposed Morgana, who was not moving, a large cut on her forehead, and a slow trickle of blood pooled from her right ear.
"Sire?" asked Gaius, hobbling over, Freya with him, taking in the site of the child in his arms. Arthur looked at them, then began to cry again, Freya falling to her knees at his side.
"Arthur?" the voice was weak, muffled. He looked around slowly, seeing a dark hand reaching for escape. Freya took Balinor, running over to the remains of the wall, clawing at it, pulling stone away.
"Help me!" he cried out. And they did, all of them working together, until Gwen's dust covered face appeared, cuts along her forehead and cheeks. Arthur pulled her free as gently as he could, Gwen, still holding the crying baby in her arms. He fell into her embrace, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" he muttered over and over. Hearing the sobs of Freya behind him.
"Gaius?" asked Arthur. It was night and they had taken over the largest building in town, the Inn, as their makeshift home. The fire's had been brought under control, but parts of the castle would have to be rebuilt. The old physician looked up as he entered the room, Rory on one bed, Gwen on another, Morgana on the third.
"Gwen will recover my lord" he said softly.
"And the others?" asked Arthur quietly.
"Rory has four fractured ribs, and her right arm is broken, I have set the arm as best I can, but she will recover. Morgana however, I have done what I can, but she is the worst hurt of them all, the wound to her head has left her all but comatose my lord. I cannot say when, or if she will wake up" he added, turning away. "There was nothing I could do for Balinor" Arthur heard the sob in the old man's voice.
"this is my fault Gaius, I should never have left" he said, wiping the tears from his red eyes. Gaius turned to him, even as Arthur broke down, finally allowing the emotion from the past hours to overtake him. Gaius moved forwards pulling him into a hug.
"No my lord, you were doing what you thought best" he said softly.
"No Gaius, I allowed my hatred to blind me. People told me not to go, people I care about, and I shoved their concerns aside. I took a gamble and lost, and now people are mourning, injured and dying because of it" he said, his face buried into Gaius's shoulder.
"There is" said a voice behind them, Arthur broke away, seeing Freya standing there, her arm in a sling.
"Freya" he began softly. Freya's own eyes were red, she moved forwards softly, but did not reach out to comfort him.
"Now do you know what you truly face Arthur? Now do you know the truth?" she asked. Arthur looked away, then back at her.
"Yes" he said softly.
"then we make preparations for war" she said, then she turned away.
"Freya" Arthur began. Freya held up her hand.
"Balinor is dead because of your arrogance Arthur, Do not make that mistake again" she added, walking out, Arthur didn't protest, didn't try to follow her, instead he just watched as the door closed.
"I leave you with one injured boy and you let him escape!" Merlin roared, as Thomas was held against the wall by the same magic that he had used on Leon.
"He used magic! How was I meant to defend myself!" Thomas roared back, even as the flames flickered around him. Merlin didn't care, was, for the moment beyond reasoning.
"Then maybe you're not as useful as I once thought!" Merlin snarled.
"Then kill me and be truly alone, your madness has already cost you two of our number, what difference does it make to lose a third one!" demanded Thomas. "if anything I have earned a swift death" he added. Abruptly the flames ceased and Thomas fell to the floor with a thud, breathing heavily, before he glowered up at Merlin.
"Pity? From you?" he sneered. Merlin shook his head.
"No. because once again you're right" he admitted. Thomas slowly stood, frowning, holding his arm. His armour was streaked with scorch marks.
"I think perhaps its time we began anew" Merlin said turning, as Thomas sat down in one of the chairs.
"But this time there will be no Dragon's to aid Arthur. Kilgharrah or otherwise" he added. "Its time my old friend and his little child paid the price for their interference" he said.
That was the day I knew Merlin had to die, that Merlin and Thomas had to pay the price for their crimes. People I had loved, held dear to me, they had paid their own terrible price. I hadn't seen the truth before that day. I had never expected Merlin to attack any but me. I had a blind vision that somewhere, deep inside that cold, evil shell, the Merlin I knew and loved was still there. But that image vanished when I held Balinor, his own son, a small child with a glorious life before him snuffed out. When I saw Rory, one of the people he trusted with his darkest secret, battered and beaten. When I saw Gwen, the first friend he had ever had, trapped beneath the rubble. And when I saw Morgana, her injury's having got the better of her. That was the day I knew Merlin would have to pay. For if he could do this to his former friends, his own family, then he did not deserve to live – Arthur Pendragon
To Be continued…..
Author's Note: Okay I know i said this season would be dark, and this chapter was darker than i think all the others put together. So I hope I've not made evil Merlin too evil. but there will be a light hearted comedy chapter soon, to break up the high body count. anyway i hope you're all enjoying this twist in the story, and thank you for reading and all the positive comments and reviews. you'll also notice there is no spoiler for the next chapter, as i want it to remain a mystery, all i will say is that for you Dragon fans, it will be Kilgharrah heavy.
Xand.