"Well Uther, as always it's been an adventure" Said Glorious as he clasped Uther's arms. "Dragons, old enemies, princes in distress, I shall have to have my bard make a song of it!" he boomed. Uther smiled and laughed.
"Knowing you it will be another two hour epic" he joked. Glorious laughed, and winked over at Merlin and Arthur.
"No no, Four at least" he replied. Then he embraced Uther, before turning to Vivienne.
"You'll keep that husband of yours in check I'll warrant" he said. Vivienne smiled and nodded.
"I'll do what I can" she said, embracing him. "Thank you for standing by us" she said.
"Nonsense" he replied. "at least I know now my daughter will be marrying not only the son of an old friend, but a brave and righteous man in his own right" he teased. Vivienne smiled as he pulled away moving to the two princes. He smiled then pulled them both into bear hugs.
"You two keep safe, you promise me that" he said.
"We will" Arthur said with a grin. Merlin smiled and nodded. Glorious sighed and took one last look around then with a nod, walked out of the room. Morgana quickly saying her goodbyes to Uther and Vivienne, before she turned to Arthur and Merlin. She embraced Arthur, the prince returning it, before she turned to Merlin.
"Stay safe" she said. He smiled at her.
"And you my lady" he replied, before kissing her gently. She returned the smile, and then like Glorious, nodded at her extended family and followed him out. The four of them falling into silence for a moment. Finally Arthur sighed.
"What?" asked Uther, looking at him.
"It's just, cosmically unfair, that Merlin gets to marry the best looking, kindest woman in the kingdom, and I get betrothed to the chatterbox of the north" he muttered.
"Are you jealous?" Merlin teased him. Arthur raised an eyebrow as he looked at him.
"If you weren't my brother I'd hit you for that remark" Arthur replied. Merlin got a cheeky grin on his face.
"Of course, you'd need to catch me first" he replied, breaking into a run.
"Why you… get back here!" Arthur said taking off after him. Uther rolled his eyes, but Vivienne took his hand.
"Let them mess about for a bit, they've more than earned it" she said. Uther sighed, then smiled as the corridor echoed with Arthur's
"MERLIN!"
"I do suppose boys will be boys" he agreed.
As Glorious and his entourage left Camelot, he turned to his daughter to see her looking back at it wistfully. He chuckled at her, causing her to turn to him.
"Missing your love already?" he asked. Morgana smiled at her father.
"I always miss those two" she said. Glorious smiled kindly at her.
"But it's different this time yes" he stated. Morgana sighed and nodded.
"At first I admit I was fuming that you'd arranged the marriage without consulting me, but then when I thought about it, I realise I've always cared for Merlin" she said.
"Was that before or after the windows got broken?" he teased. Morgana smiled and shook her head.
"You can be a right pain sometimes. But that makes me love you all the more" she told him. Glorious laughed at his daughters remark.
"And you wouldn't have it any other way" he said. Morgana smiled and took her father's hand, holding it gently.
"No, I wouldn't" she agreed.
They travelled on for several miles towards their home, talking about everything and nothing, just enjoying the warm sun and each other's company, however eventually, night began to creep across the land.
"There's a small clearing just west of here where we can make camp" said Glorious, as he brought his entourage to a halt.
"It would be best if we set up before the sun completely set" said Percival, the physical giant of a knight and one of Glorious's most trusted men. Glorious nodded in agreement.
"Thomas, Rory!" he called out, the two servant's moving forwards to their king.
"Sire" they both replied.
"See to the setting up of the camp will you" he instructed. The two servants nodded and moved off in the direction indicated.
"What?" asked Glorious looking at Morgana.
"I still fail to see why the knights cannot put their own tents up" she stated. Her attitude towards servants in general was well known, whereas the majority of nobles saw servants as gophers, people to run around and do their bidding, Morgana saw them as people, simply going about their jobs, making some coin to feed their family. Glorious rolled his eyes at her, he'd been through this particular debate with her many times, and now wasn't the time to open it again. Still, thankfully. She did not press the issue further, instead she simply followed her father as he led his entourage to the clearing, she smiled slightly, seeing Percival if not putting up his own tent, at least helping Thomas to do so. Beside her, her father grumbled slightly but remained silent otherwise.
The night soon fell upon the group, Morgana finding herself looking up at the stars overhead, her thoughts lost for the moment among them. For once the night was beautiful, a shooting star flying overhead. She smiled as she made a wish, looking up as Rory approached her.
"My lady" she said as she handed her some food. Morgana took it and smiled at her.
"thank you Rory" she said. Rory nodded and turned away, Morgana briefly entertaining the idea of calling her back. But no, that probably would be a little too much for her father to digest, so instead she picked at the plate of food she'd been provided, her gaze returning to the heavens.
"Thinking of your young love?" asked her father as he settled down next to her. Morgana smiled as she looked at him.
"Just day dreaming" she replied. Glorious chuckled.
"Your mother was fond of doing that" he admitted. "Often I would find her on the balcony just looking up at the stars" he said.
"Did she ever say what she was thinking of?" Morgana asked. Glorious nodded.
"Sometimes, other times, she'd just be looking, and just like you..." he said.
"Day dreaming" they both said at the same time, breaking into a laugh. Morgana put the plate down and snuggled into her father, feeling safe and secure as she ever could. Glorious smiled down at her, stroking her hair gently.
"Do you still miss her?" Morgana asked him gently. Glorious smiled.
"Every day, but then I look at you and I see everything she was, and I know that even though she was taken from me, I have a beautiful daughter, with all her kindness and wisdom and beauty, and that makes me happier than I ever could be" he told her. Morgana smiled and hugged him tighter. The two falling into silence as they watched the stars.
Merlin was standing on the balcony of the castle, below him the courtyard was empty, save for the guards doing their rounds. He too found himself looking up at the stars, his thoughts drifting slightly.
"Couldn't sleep?" asked his mother as she stepped out beside him. Merlin looked at her and shrugged.
"So much has happened the past few days, I'm still trying to sort it out in my mind" he admitted. His mother stepped forwards, putting an arm around his waist. He looked at her and smiled.
"It has been an eventful week" she agreed. "but if I know anything, its my son" she said. Merlin smiled at her, looking back up at the stars.
"You don't use the stars to focus, you look up there, knowing that out there, Morgana is probably doing the same" she said.
"You're right" Merlin said, "you do know me too well" he admitted. Slowly he sighed, taking a deep breath.
"You're troubled" stated Vivienne. Merlin shook his head.
"Worried" he admitted. "Despite all the good we've done, no matter what we do, there's that lingering darkness out there just waiting to swoop in" he said.
"You mean Balinor?" Vivienne asked. Merlin nodded at her.
"I mean, who is he? Why have me and Arthur never heard of him before this week?" beside him Vivienne patted his hand.
"Balinor's feud with you father goes back many years, before you or Arthur were even born" she said. "In truth I suspect neither man knows how it truly started, but there is so much bad blood between them, peace would be impossible now" she said.
"But they weren't always enemies were they" Merlin said.
"Is anyone?" she countered. Merlin turned away from the courtyard, leaning on the balcony rail.
"But with Balinor its different, I've seen my father deal with our enemies, but with Balinor there's something else, not that he's afraid of him. More like he's upset at something" Merlin said. Vivienne looked away, then smiled at Merlin.
"such stories, you should know better than to second guess your father" she said. Merlin was about to press the point, then nodded.
"You're right, I probably am reading too much into this" he admitted. Vivienne kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Don't stay out too late" she said.
"I won't" he promised. Vivienne nodded at him and then went inside. Merlin sighing again as he turned back to look at the stars. Slowly he smiled, and closed his eyes.
"Goodnight My lady" he whispered.
Far away in her tent, Morgana turned over in her sleep and smiled.
They took up camp early the following morning, Glorious stating he wanted to be home before the sun set again. As the previous day Glorious and her daughter led the group. Glorious on his trusty warhorse, Morgana on her Unicorn, and finally after six hours of traveling they emerged into the courtyard of their home. Balinor dismounting holding out his hand so Morgana could as well. She dismounted smiling her thanks to him, before following him into the castle as the stable boys rushed up to the unicorn, eyes wide.
"Ahhh, nothing like the comforts of home is there?" asked Glorious as he sat down, in his throne. Morgana nodded at him in agreement as she too sat down.
"It's quiet though" she admitted, Glorious smiling at her.
"not for long my dear" he said. "Soon young Merlin will move here, and then I'm sure after that there will be the patter of tiny feet" he said. Morgana laughed.
"At least give us a little time to be together before you start planning on cribs and nursery's" she chided. Her father laughed at her and patted her hand.
"No promises" he said with a grin.
"Oh you are impossible" she replied, even through her smile.
"Go on, get yourself ready for dinner" he said to her. Morgana stood and still smiling left the room.
Morgana was halfway to her chambers when the castle literally shook around her, dust falling from the ceiling. Around her the guards, also looked up, Morgana turned and quickly ran back towards the audience chamber, where she had left her father, only for him to reach her first.
"What's going on?" she asked eyes wide.
Outside the castle Kilgharrah roared as he flew overhead knocking one of the turrets crumbling to the ground.
"Kill them. All of them" Balinor muttered as he watched the attack begin. Beside him Hunith and Morgause were both watching as well, all eyes rapt on what was happening.
"sire!" Percival called as he ran to the King and his daughter, looking up as more dust fell.
"What's going on?" Glorious demanded.
"It's the dragon" Percival said. "It's here" he added, rather pointlessly.
"Ready the troops, we'll bring the beast down if we have to throw rocks at it!" he yelled at another knight, then he pushed Morgana towards Percival.
"Take her!" he said. Percival blinked.
"but sire-!" Percival shouted.
"you will do as I command, if the unthinkable should come to pass I must know my daughter is safe, you will see to it" Glorious said. There was another rumble, this time followed by screaming within the castle.
"Go!" yelled Glorious. Morgana struggled, breaking free and running to him.
"I will not leave you!" she screamed. Glorious looked at her, then kissed her on the head softly.
"No matter what happens, I will love you" he whispered.
"Father" she pleaded, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Now go!" Glorious yelled. Percival grabbed Morgana, dragging her away, screaming for her father. He watched as his most trusted knight took his daughter away, then turned, running for the courtyard.
Uther was laughing at a joke Arthur had made at Merlin's expense, as the family were sitting down having just finished their evening meal. Merlin had not been his usual cheerful self the past day, and they all knew why, so they were doing what they could to keep his spirits up.
"Yes, and if you'll remember, dear brother, wasn't it me that saved your sorry hide from Brayard's patrol?" Merlin said mildly. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"That happened once" Arthur countered.
"three times actually, Brayard, Oden and Oden again I believe" Merlin countered.
"that only counts as two times"
"It was three different occasions"
"Ok three times" Arthur said admitting defeat. Uther chuckled at the two men, then looked up sharply as Nimueh staggered into the room.
"Nimueh?" he asked getting to his feet, knowing there was a problem. She would never dare burst in unless there was trouble.
"Brayard" she said.
"Where?" Uther hissed.
"He's not here. He's… he's attacking Glorious!" she exclaimed. Uther was around the table in an instant.
"Arthur prepare the troops!" Uther ordered. Arthur stood all business and ran from the room.
"Morgana?" asked Merlin stepping towards Nimueh.
"She lives, but she is distressed" she said. Merlin nodded at her, then looked at Uther.
"I'm going to" he stated. Uther looked at him then nodded, Merlin bowing a moment later before running out, Vivienne moving to Nimueh. Uther looked at her, then kissed her.
"Be careful my love" Vivienne said to him. Uther nodded, then walked out.
"They'll never make it in time" Nimueh said softly.
"But they will never forgive themselves if they do not try" Vivienne replied.
Morgana had stopped struggling as soon as her father was out of site, a fact Percival was grateful for. Now she limply followed him as he led her out of a side entrance to the stables, where he quickly readied his horse, one of the stable hands, doing the same for Morgana's unicorn.
"You should go, get out of here as quickly as you can!" Percival said to him.
"This is my post sir" the stable hand replied. Percival shook his head.
"and there's nothing you can do against that, no one is questioning your loyalty, but you must get to safety" he ordered. The stable hand looked around, then handed him his hold all.
"It's not much, just my lunch" he said. Percival smiled then mounted up, Morgana doing the same. Overhead Kilgharrah roared again, belching flame down onto the castle.
"Ready catapults!" they heard Glorious's command from the courtyard. "Fire!" there was the sound of several heavy ropes being cut than a twang, followed by several thuds.
"My lady we must go!" Percival said, gripping Morgana's arm. Morgana shook her head, tears still streaming down her face. Percival slowly moved his own steed forwards, out of the stables, Morgana bot of them looking back, seeing the castle erupting in flames. Screams could still be heard from inside it. Above the castle Kilgharrah roared as it turned towards the courtyard.
"And so falls House Glorious!" Kilgharrah roared, then belched fire downwards. The centre of the courtyard becoming nothing more than a flaming miasma.
"FATHER!" Morgana screamed, but it was no use. Of the charred corpses that now remained, among them was that of her father.
Balinor had been true to his word.
The house of Glorious had indeed fallen.
"And from the ashes of house Glorious shall rise a new and powerful house. The house of the Dragonlord. The house of Balinor" Balinor intoned. Beside him Hunith and Morgause both grinned.
Percival was true to his word, getting Morgana as far from the castle as he could, now both of them stopped, looking back, the night sky bright with flame, the stars obscured by smoke and the Dragon that still circled over it.
"Father" Morgana whispered. Beside her Percival put his hand on her shoulder.
"its not over" he said.
"How can you say that?" she demanded.
"Because as long as you live, so will house Glorious" he told her. "Next to you, that was all that was important to your father" Percival said. Morgana sniffed, her eyes reflecting the flames as they engulfed her former home.
"We should go, before they realise you're missing" Percival told her. Slowly Morgana nodded, and still crying turned the Unicorn away from the carnage.
Nimueh sat back sadly, tears falling from her eyes, Vivienne sitting next to her.
"Nimueh?" she asked gently.
"He's dead. Glorious is dead" she said. Vivienne looked away, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes, Nimueh reaching out, taking her hand. Vivienne grasping it as the two women shared in their sorrow.
Uther did not stop marching the whole night, only stopping when two people rode into view. They too stopped, Uther dismounting, running towards them. Morgana doing the same, falling into the kings arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Slowly Uther looked up at Percival.
"Glorious?" he asked. Percival shook his head, Uther closed his eyes, feeling something inside him wither and die.
"I swear to you, on my honour Balinor will pay for this" he said softly. Morgana looked at him, wiping a tear from his own face.
"What will I do?" she asked softly.
"You will come with us, both of you, I will not turn away the person I consider my daughter, you shall live with us" he said. "I believe that is what Glorious would want" he said. Morgana buried her face into his chest again. Behind Uther, Arthur and Merlin both tried to hold back their tears. Neither doing so very successfully. Glorious had been a fond uncle to them. Seemingly always there. Now they would never hear his kind, booming voice, be the recipients of his bear hugs ever again. Slowly Uther helped Morgana up onto her Unicorn, glancing at Percival.
"I will stay close to my lady" Percival said. Uther nodded at him.
"Arthur!" Uther called out.
"Father?"
"Turn the army around, we return to Camelot" he ordered. Merlin meanwhile moved over to stand the other side of Morgana from Percival. Morgana looked at him, reaching out. He took her hand gently squeezing it, never letting go until Camelot came back into view.