The cavern was dank, dark, smelled remotely of mould, but it was home to the small army that inhabited it. None of them spoke as they were led down winding paths, aware all the time of Helios gaze upon them from behind. Eventually Elyan led them into a large room, gesturing for them to sit. They did so, and he regarded them, one at a time, then took a deep breath.
"So this… Balinor, he's a Dragonlord I take it?" Elyan began.
"He is" said Arthur. Elyan nodded, and looked at his sister.
"And you're hoping to raise an army to defeat these Dragons?" he asked softly.
"And whatever else he has control of" Gwen said. Elyan raised an eyebrow.
"We know he can also use Serkets" Lancelot said. Elyan looked at him.
"Dragon's and Serkets?" he asked. "Isn't that a bit much for any army to deal with?" he asked.
"But we must try" Merlin said from where he was sitting between Arthur and Morgana.
"Indeed, but even if you were to get back to Camelot, how would you fight both? An army cannot fly to defeat the dragons, and no armour known can resist the sting of a Serket" Elyan stated.
"Its our home, would you not try to defend it if it was yours?" asked Leon.
"Oh, no, you misunderstand, I don't doubt you will try, but you will need more help than what you have so far" Elyan said.
"We have nothing but what you see here" said Gwen softly. Elyan looked at her and nodded, before he stood.
"I'll have food brought in for you, you can rest here the night at least" he said.
"We thank you for your offer, but time is of the essence to us" Arthur said. Elyan nodded at him.
"Just, give me a few hours" he said, walking away.
"I know what you're thinking" Said Helios as he followed Elyan out. Elyan sighed, and looked at him.
"I know, and it goes against everything we've set our minds to, and if it was anyone but my sister who was involved.." his voice trailed off. Helios stopped and gripped his wrist.
"I have no quarrel with your decisions. You have led us fairly, and stood by us, it is not me you need to convince" he said softly. Elyan smiled.
"So I can count on your support?"
"You already have it my friend, but one vote alone does not count for anything" Helios reminded him.
"I know, but if need be, I will go alone, I'd rather not, but-"
"You will not go alone, Whatever you chose I will face it with you" Helios told him. Elyan smiled and nodded.
"Thank you my friend" he said. Helios grinned.
"it still might be just the two of us with them yet" he reminded.
Uther's wounds had been healed, and now he sat in a small room with Vivienne, that had been provided for them by the druids. Both of them were tired, having gone through so much so quickly over the past week or so. Slowly they looked up as a young woman with dark hair walked in carrying two small bowls. She knelt down and handed them one each.
"It is not much, but please eat" she said gently. Vivienne smiled at her.
"thank you" she said, meaning it. Uther took his bowl and looked at the sloppy mess in it, but smiled. These were a simple, if powerful people, but their kindness was legendary. He picked up the spoon and ate some of the food, he was startled to realise that although it looked revolting, it was actually quite pleasant
"Thank you" he echoed as he chewed. The woman nodded and smiled, then moved away.
"what are you thinking?" asked Vivienne as they ate. Uther looked at her.
"I am thinking, what right do we have to involve these people in our conflict. They've done no wrong, we can't expect them to stand with us when the time comes" he said.
"That choice is not yours" said a small voice from the doorway. They looked over to see Mordred walking in, accompanied by Nimueh.
"When Balinor sent his Dragon to the isle of the blessed, he created a great imbalance in the force of magic. A lot of good, kind people died that day" he said. Uther nodded at the child, finding himself awed at how wise he seemed to be.
"Still, I will not ask them to fight for me" he said. Mordred smiled, then took Uther's hand.
"We do not choose to fight for you. We chose to fight alongside you" he said. "Now, I believe it is time for you to both rest, and in the morning, you can speak to your sons" he said.
"We can speak to them?" asked Vivienne. Mordred nodded.
"Yes, but they too are having this same discussion" he replied. "When it is done, we can work on a plan" he stated. Uther nodded, then suddenly gripped Mordred's hand again. The boy looked at him, quizzically.
"Tell your friends, I would be honoured to have them at my side" he said. Mordred smiled and nodded, before Uther let go and watched the remarkable boy walk out.
"Nimueh?" asked Vivienne, looking at her.
"I came to see how you both were, and to apologise" she said.
"Whatever for?" asked Uther.
"You charged me with the protection of your sons, and I failed, and I failed when the Dragon's came. I know words are not good enough, but they are all I can offer" she said.
"Nimueh, you have been the most loyal person I've known throughout everything that has happened. Yes you have magic, but no one can expect the impossible. Was it not you who kept Arthur alive when he was poisoned? Was it not you who protected Merlin when he was in danger from the Dragon and the Widows?" asked Uther. "If anything, it is I who must apologise to you, you have gone dangerously close to exhaustion because of what's happened, and I know what that can do to a sorcerer" Uther said. Nimueh smiled as Vivienne took her hand.
"We would not want you anywhere else" she said. Nimueh nodded at them.
"Now you, rest as well" said Uther.
"Yes my liege" she replied with a bow, then turned and walked out.
Merlin stood at the entrance of the cave, looking out into the star lit sky. They'd been here for most of the day, and there had been no word yet from Elyan. He had however said they could leave the big room to which they'd been taken, so the group had done just that, except for Arthur who waited with Gwen for her brother's return. A cool breeze whipped through the night air, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.
"You okay?" asked Morgana from behind him. Merlin turned and smiled at her.
"Just thinking" he replied, turning his gaze back out to the night sky. Morgana walked up next to him, taking his hand gently.
"About?" she asked softly.
"Camelot, my parents" he said.
"I'm sure they're alright" she said. Merlin smiled and closed his eyes briefly.
"I hope so" he said softly. Morgana smiled and leant her head on his shoulder.
"Do you think they're gone?" she asked softly. Merlin thought for a second then shook his head.
"I don't know what to think, except maybe Arthur was right" he said. "We shouldn't be here, we should have stayed" he replied, turning to her. Morgana took both his hands now.
"I'm not going to lose you again" she said to him. Merlin smiled and kissed her gently.
"Whatever happens, I'll always be there with you" he told her. Morgana pulled back slightly.
"Whatever happens, we will live though this" she told him. "Promise me that" she said. Merlin nodded.
"I promise" he replied. They kissed again, feeling the passion rising in each other, but they would have to hold it in check.
"DRAGON!" the cry from the look out brought them both back to their senses, they looked out, seeing a large blue dragon swooping over the tree tops. Behind it another two appeared, circling above.
"sound the alarm!" yelled another look out before his tower was engulfed in flame, the man falling in a burning pyre to the ground screaming. Merlin, still grasping Morgana's hand pulled her back into the cave, but they'd already been seen. The Dragon on the ground began moving forwards into a lumbering run, breathing fire into the cave entrance.
Arthur looked at Gwen as screams began to echo through the caverns. He stood up as Elyan ran in with Helios, Tristan and Isolde.
"What's going on?" asked Gwen as Merlin and Morgana ran in, followed by Gwaine, Lancelot and Leon. Percival also appeared, moving to Morgana's side.
"Seems your friend has found you" muttered Tristan.
"There's Dragon's up top, at least three" said Merlin. Arthur looked at him, then at Elyan.
"Is there another way out of here?" he demanded. Elyan nodded.
"But where would you go?" he demanded.
"Anywhere is better than here, if we can get out the chances are the Dragon's will leave you alone" Arthur said. As if in response there was more screaming from somewhere.
"you'd leave here to protect my people?" asked Elyan.
"They're not part of this, they don't deserve to die for us" Merlin told him. Elyan looked at them and smiled.
"I like these people" Helios admitted. Elyan looked over at Tristan and Isolde who both nodded slowly.
"Tell the survivors to pack what weapons they can" Elyan said, then he looked at Arthur. "We're going to war" Arthur slowly stepped forwards, clasping Elyan's hand.
"We might not be much of an army, but we can fight" Elyan told him. Arthur nodded and smiled.
"Make sure your people stay out of the Dragon's sight" Arthur said. Elyan nodded.
"That won't be easy" he stated.
"It will with two decoy's" Merlin told him.
"You can't!" said Morgana stepping forwards. Merlin looked at her and smiled.
"Merlin's right, it's us they're after, and it's us they'll chase" Arthur said. Morgana shook her head.
"No, I forbid it" she stated, then she turned to Merlin. "You promised me" she stated. He took her hands, then kissed her, before looking at Percival.
"Keep her safe" he said. Percival nodded, then watched as Merlin and Arthur ran from the room.
"I hope you have a plan" said Arthur as the pair of them ran.
"Yep. We run" replied Merlin.
"That's your plan? Run?" asked Arthur.
"We want to get those Dragon's away right?" Merlin asked.
"Remind me never to let you into strategy meetings" Arthur said, but with a grin.
The two men emerged from the cave, the Dragon was facing away from them, fortunately. They quickly mounted their waiting Unicorns, then Nodding at each other both yelled. The Dragon turned, roaring as it saw them, above them the two in the sky swooped down towards them. They spurred their horses into motion, running from the Dragons.
"Well I'll be, it worked" said Elyan with a grin.
"But at what price?" Morgana muttered as the watched the two men and the chasing Dragons. Behind her, Gwen put a hand on her shoulder.
"Kill them… NOW!" Roared Balinor as he watched the Dragons chasing the two princes from the scrying font Morgause had set up in the audience chamber. Beside him, Morgause watched just as intently.
Uther and Vivienne looked up as Nimueh ran in.
"What is it? What's happened?" demanded Vivienne standing.
"Balinor's found them" she said. Uther moved past her quickly into the other part of the cavern, the Druids were all gathered around a large pool that showed the fleeing princes.
"What are they doing?" he whispered.
"Drawing them away" said Mordred. Uther looked at his sons, rage and pride vying for dominance in his emotions.
The two mean continued to run, but behind them the Dragon's were not letting up. The nearest one, an orange coloured one, spewed flame towards them.
"This isn't working!" yelled Arthur, as they skidded to a halt, in front of them was a sheer chasm, far too wide for even the Unicorns to jump.
"And you said run" Arthur said looking at Merlin as they backed up, the Orange Dragon landing with a thud.
"I'm sorry Arthur" Merlin whispered. Arthur looked at him.
"The others are safe, that's all that matters" he said. Merlin nodded at him. In front of them the Orange Dragon opened its wide jaws, then went crashing across the ground howling as it tumbled from the impact that had sent it reeling.
"I would suggest you both get out of here!" Kilgharrah roared at them as it swooped up to tackle the blue dragon.
"WHAT IS THAT THING DOING?" Balinor was livid as he watched Kilgharrah save his enemies. He turned to Morgause. "He has betrayed me once too often" he sneered.
"Father, what are you doing?" asked Morgause as he stormed to the balcony.
"If he sides with our enemy then he is our enemy" he spat. Then he walked out to the remainder of the waiting Dragons.
"Find Kilgharrah, find him and kill him!" he ordered. The Dragons looked at each other.
"NOW!" screamed Balinor. Slowly they took flight, none of them seemingly happy with their orders.
"I see it, I don't believe it, but I see it" muttered Uther as he digested what had just happened. Beside him Vivienne gripped his hand tightly.
Morgana looked up as footsteps echoed down towards the chamber, her face breaking into a grin as Merlin and Arthur both run in.
"Where the hell have you been?" she demanded, running over and embracing Merlin.
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you" Merlin replied.
"We need to go, Balinor knows we're here now, it won't be long before he sends more" Arthur said.
"We're ready" said Elyan with a nod. Arthur looked at him, then nodded.
"Where do we go?" asked Gwen.
"We must go to the Dragon's roost, a half days travel south" said Gwaine stepping forwards.
"Why there of all places?" asked Arthur.
"Because young prince, it is where the rest of our army will meet us, as will your parents" he stated.
"they're alive?" asked Merlin breaking into a grin. Gwaine nodded.
"They are, and now with our armies combined, the physical here, and the Magical there, Balinor will soon realise what he has to pay for his arrogance" Gwaine said. Arthur nodded then looked at the rest of the group, slowly he smiled.
"Lets go home" he stated.
They made as quick progress as they could, using the cover of night to conceal themselves, but off in the distance they could hear the roar of Dragons. None of them however came very near, and Merlin had to wonder if it had anything to do with the Words Gwaine was muttering as they moved, however Merlin wasn't about to break his concentration by asking pointless questions. Instead he rode near to Morgana, who for her part, kept looking over to make sure he was still near to her. He smiled each time to assure her that yes he was fine. Eventually, they the Dragon's roost came into view, and below it:-
"Oh my god" breathed Arthur slowly.
"How many Druids are there?" asked Morgana.
"Does it matter?" asked Elyan, looking at them. Slowly they moved forwards, all of them dismounting, watching the quiet druids, who slowly began to part, Uther and Vivienne walking forwards, looking at the army following their sons. Between both lots maybe over three hundred people. Slowly Uther stepped forwards, Then broke into a run, hugging both of his sons tightly. Behind him Mordred stepped forwards.
"It begins. The Magical and the Physical" he said softly, pointing from one army to the other.
"The druids will have a difficult enough time bringing the Dragons down to ground level where we can attack them" said Uther, looking over at Elyan.
"But the Serket's will be another matter" said Arthur. "We can't defend against both the Dragon's and the Serkets and expect to win" he said.
"We'll keep the Serket's back" said Elyan. "If we can stop them overrunning the courtyard, you can fight the Dragon's there" he stated. Uther nodded and looked over at Mordred.
"What about Balinor?" asked Vivienne, cutting in.
"We'll have to deal with him when we can" Merlin said, the main goal is to get the Dragon's and Serket's out of the picture"
"That won't be easy, I'm sure now it's his daughter, Morgause controlling them" said Nimueh.
"Then we need to at least remove her somehow" said Gwaine.
"I'll do it" said Nimueh. Gwaine looked like he was about to protest, then nodded.
"I'll remain with the king then, perhaps I can do some good there as well" Gwaine stated.
"I'm going as well" said Gwen stepping forwards, Elyan looked at her. "It's my home Elyan, you might not understand but I have little else" she said.
"I don't like it" he said. "But I do understand" he admitted.
"As am I" Vivienne stated. Uther looked at her, ashen.
"Mother…" Arthur began, she cut him off with a wave of her hand.
"Do not argue. I am as much involved as any of you" she said.
"I will stand by my lady" Gwen said stepping forwards next to her. Vivienne smiled at her.
"Thank you Gwen"
"Fine" Uther snarled, "But keep out of the main fight, don't go looking for trouble" he said. Vivienne smiled and patted his cheek.
"too late, I married you" she said with a chuckle. Uther rolled his eyes, then turned.
"Morgana-" he began.
"I'll be with you" she said.
"Morgana, please" said Merlin. She shook her head.
"I owe him, he killed my father in cold blood, this is my right" she said, looking at him. There was a loud thump outside the tent causing everyone to jump, but there was no screaming, so they paid it no heed.
"Now that's settled, any idea how we get into the city?" asked Helios, speaking up.
"We can use the assault tunnels" said Uther. They won't expect us to come pouring out of the Citadel" he said.
"its one thing to use the assault tunnels, its something else to reach them unobserved" said Isolde. Beside her, Tristan nodded.
"I think I can help with that" said a voice from outside. They all turned, Merlin pulling back the tent flap to show Kilgharrah watching them. The druids backed away from him.
"I mean you no harm, in fact it is because of Balinor's orders to me that I have turned against him. You have no idea of the sorrow it caused me to kill those on the Isle of the Blessed" he said.
"You. You saved my sons" said Uther stepping forwards. "It was you who set this in motion, what is happening now" he added. "Why would you aid us against the orders of a Dragonlord?"
"Because I must. Balinor no longer holds power on me, he lost that right when he struck me. But above that, he is evil. If he were to remain in power, unchecked, the results would be disastrous to us all" the Dragon said.
"How would you be able to help?" asked Gwen softly.
"Because he hunts me too. Balinor is many things, but he is above all else, single minded, if he sees me, then he will send at least some of the Dragon's under his command after me" Kilgharrah said. Uther looked at the Dragon, then at the group, before nodding.
"Then it is settled. The Druids will help attack the remaining Dragons, Elyan and his army will deal with the Serkets and Kilgharrah will be out decoy" he stated. Around the tent, the group nodded.
"Then we'd all best rest, we take the fight to Balinor tomorrow" he stated, then nodding at everyone, walked out. Soon only Arthur, Merlin Morgana and Gwen were left.
"I do not like the idea of you two fighting" said Arthur looking at them.
"Deal with it" Morgana told him sharply. Arthur sighed and shook his head, looking at Merlin for support.
"Can you deny her this chance to avenge her father?" asked Merlin softly. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"It was so much easier dealing with you two when you weren't a couple" he huffed.
"Sire, no matter what happens, we need to do this" Gwen said, looking at Arthur. "Not to prove some point, but because, honestly, we're going to need all the help we can get"
"That doesn't mean I have to like it" Arthur shot back. "Just make sure you stay as safe as you can, both of you" he said, then walked out.
"You know Gwen, I think you're growing on him" said Merlin with a chuckle. Gwen flushed slightly.
"I would never…" she began, but Morgana held up her hand. Gwen rolled her eyes, then hurriedly left the tent, Merlin and Morgana both chuckling. Slowly it died down and they looked at each other.
"Well, I guess we should get some rest" said Morgana, as she watched him. Merlin nodded.
"Yeah. Rest" he agreed, then pulled her to him.
Outside the tent Gwaine looked over, then rolling his eyes, magically sealed it as he chuckled.
"Rest indeed" he muttered as he turned back to a smiling Nimueh.
"How are the wards holding?" he asked, turning back to the topic at hand. Nimueh looked around.
"The Druids are taking turns to reinforce them, as long as they do so, Balinor and his Dragon's won't be able to find us" she said.
"Yet Kilgharrah found us" Gwaine stated. Nimueh smiled at him.
"Because he is no longer with Balinor" she said, pausing as Arthur walked back past them, Uther at his side. Gwaine gripped Uther's arm.
"Its best not go in there at the moment" he said.
"I just need to check something" Uther said.
"Sire, I wouldn't go in there" Nimueh said.
"Is something wrong?" asked Arthur. His Father's features mirroring the question.
"No not at all" Gwaine said. "But, it would seem your son and the lady Morgana are… in the passion of the moment" he said.
"They're what?" asked Arthur as Uther began to laugh.
"I see" said Uther, turning away.
"What are you on about?" asked Arthur as his father moved away. Then his eyes shot wide open. "dirty little git" he muttered.
"Now now Arthur, I'm sure one day we'll have to protect your privacy" Uther said with a grin.
The next morning, Uther, Arthur and Merlin surveyed the army before them, magic users and fighters alike and felt humbled. The Druids because they had chosen the fight because they believed it was right, and Elyan's army, because of his love for his sister.
"My friends, this day will mark a new beginning for us all, today we shall stand together against a foe that knows no mercy, nor shows any honour in his actions" Uther began. "I do not know how many will emerge from this battle, but I do know we will give Balinor a day he will not soon forget. The druids, who's kin were mercilessly slaughtered at Balinor's command, the people who died so my sons might live. I ask you above all to remember them and fight for their honour!" he yelled. "You all have your tasks, you all have your duties, but above all else, you have each other!" he yelled, there was a cheer from the crowd.
"To arms!" Uther called, the people falling into line. Slowly Uther grinned as Kilgharrah swooped overhead.
"Its time" he said.
The battle for Camelot, had begun.