Merlin
Love By Any Other name
Part 8
It was morning when Arthur dejectedly led his knights back through the gates of Camelot, tired beyond belief he had run them almost to complete exhaustion. Slowly he dismounted, looking up as his father ran down the steps towards him. Arthur turned to face him, his expression saying what his voice could not.
"We looked all father, but it was impossible, once we had been to the furthest village west, that's where the rail ended" Arthur admitted. Uther slowly nodded, then looked over as his own horse was brought out.
"Father?" Arthur asked.
"I'm sorry Arthur, we have discovered where Morgana is" he stated.
"Then give me a few minuets and I'll head ou-"
"no" stated Uther, suddenly. "This is for me to do" he said. Arthur shook his head
"But, you're the king" Arthur said.
"Arthur where I am going, it is not a place for you" he said.
"Father"
"Just do as I command and trust that in this case I know better" Uther whispered fiercely, "you will remain here, you will give me your word of honour you will not follow" he said.
"But-"
"Damn it Arthur, just promise me!" Uther roared. Slowly Arthur nodded, not liking this one bit.
"I… give you my word" he stammered, even as Gaius came down the steps, joining Uther.
"everything we should need is prepared" Gaius said. Arthur blinked.
"Wait, this place you're going, its too dangerous for me but Gaius can go?" Arthur was really confused now.
"Arthur, you trust me" Uther said. Arthur looked at him, then shook his head.
"Very well" he said. Uther smiled, then pulled him into a hug.
"There are only two things I care for more than anything in this world, You and Morgana, remember that" he said, then he had mounted his horse, and with Gaius in tow, rode out of the courtyard. He watched them go as Leon moved up beside him.
"Sire?" Leon asked. Arthur shook his head, remaining silent.
"Please, stop this madness!" yelled Morgana, as behind her, Merlin shook with pain. Nimueh however just watched the scene before her, then she smiled and looked up.
"And why would I want to do that?" she asked. "Not when my true prize is coming for you" she said.
"Because you're going to kill him!" screamed Morgana. Nimueh broke into an evil chuckle.
"Love, oh how pathetic, you see how your love has begun to bring the great Camelot to its knees already? Your king rides for you Morgana, for you! He could care little what happens to him" Nimueh sneered, kicking Merlin slightly.
"Because Uther loves her" Merlin spat. "And I would rather die than let you harm her or him!" he yelled. Nimueh actually laughed at that.
"Oh how noble, it almost makes me wish you'd both live through this just so I can see what you two do next" Nimueh replied.
"you, are nothing but a twisted sadistic witch" morgana sneered. Nimueh moved around to her and knelt down, sneering.
"Oh believe me, I've not even started, my vengeance burns, and so will your king" she muttered, "now for the coup de grace" she said. "Inzhano!" she yelled, and another magical bond appeared on each of them, around their necks. Satisfied, Nimueh stood then left without another word. Morgana began fidgeting with the magical bonds, but only succeeded in drawing a grunt of pain from Merlin.
"Are you alright?" she suddenly asked, concerned.
"I hope so, Can't really feel my feet anymore, hoping that's just the cold though" he replied, trying to lighten the mood.
"Try wiggling your toes or something, keep the circulation going" she said.
"I have been" he assured her, aware of the noose around his neck. "Feet, bad, neck worse" he pointed out.
The two men had rode most of the night, before finally making camp in a dark clearing in the woods. It had been agreed when Uther had planned to ride out, that Gaius accompany him, simply because although weak, he possessed some magic. It was hypocritical that Uther could be so lenient with the rule when he wanted to be. But of course, when family was concerned, Uther was nothing if not a hypocrite. After all, magic had allowed him to have a son in the first place. But, of course, Gaius kept these thoughts to himself as they sat in silence.
"You do realise, the Dragon could well be sending us to our deaths" said Uther suddenly. Gaius sighed and shook his head.
"Sire, if the Dragon wanted to kill us, there was absolutely nothing to stop him incinerating us when we went to him" Gaius pointed out. Uther frowned, then nodded.
"I just hope when we get there Morgana is safe" he said. Gaius suddenly stood up, moving away.
"Gaius?" asked Uther watching him. Gaius didn't reply.
"Gaius" Uther said again more forcefully. Slowly Gaius turned to him, his gaze, very dark.
"Morgana, is that the only person you can truly think of?" he demanded. "Morgana may be your Ward sire, but Merlin is mine and I care for him as deeply as you do about her, so I would find it most helpful if you remembered just for one moment it is two people we are going to save!" his voice was like a low thunder, and Uther actually blinked, slowly standing.
"You dare speak to your king in that tone?" Uther demanded, gripping his sword. Gaius stepped forwards.
"You'll what? Strike me down like you should have done twenty years ago?" he demanded. "Go ahead! Because obviously my feelings into this matter do come into account!" he yelled. Uther watched him, then slowly moved his hand away from the hilt of his sword, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry Gaius" he admitted at last. "I keep forgetting the boy's own importance to you" he said. "It's short sighted and unbecoming" he said. Gaius slowly lowered his arms.
"Merlin may only have been with me a short while, but already I know that if he were gone, how much I would miss him, I would feel it as keenly as if you lost Morgana or Arthur" he said.
"it's amazing how much loyalty Merlin inspires in others" Uther said.
"I believe sire that you will find Merlin to be a special person, and possibly one of the greatest people you will ever know" Gaius said. "And not just his loyalty to Arthur, to You and Morgana, but to others around him, Gwen, the people who live in Camelot, he is a kind soul sire, a brave soul, but one that has been lost and alone for many years, searching for somewhere to call home" The old man slowly sat back down, Uther listening. "you wonder why he never complains of his duties, or why he follows Arthur faithfully, it's not because it's his duty, its because he's found that home, and rather than lose the friendship he has with Arthur, he would rather die then let any harm come to him" Gaius said softly. "So you'll forgive me when I become irate at the sole mention of Morgana" he said. Uther slowly nodded, frowning.
"I knew Arthur was fond of him, but, I never thought…" he replied.
"Well now you do, and you would best remember it" Gaius said. "You may not need such allies, but Arthur is young, he does, despite what other's may believe" Gaius said. Uther nodded again, humbled to silence, his thought's awhirl.
Merlin let out a shuddering breath, then frowned.
"Morgana, the rope, it's loosened a bit" he said with a slight grin. Behind him, Morgana remained silent, but a small smile did touch her lips.
"Oh no Uther, you don't get both of them, I assure you" Nimueh snarled, as she saw the old fool Gaius, knock Uther down a peg. The trap was laid, the bait was set and by morning the rats would scurry to their death.
Arthur was concerned, more than concerned actually, since his father's abrupt departure the previous day. So when Gwen found him on the battlements looking out silently, she quietly moved to him, offering what small support she could. He glanced at her, then looked away in silence.
"Its not easy is it?" Gwen said softly, inviting conversation. "watching your loved ones ride to battle while your left alone, to stew in your thoughts" she added. Beside her, Arthur sighed.
"no, but its worse this time" he admitted.
"Because of Morgana?" Gwen asked.
"All of them, My father, Morgana, Merlin. Hell even Gaius" he admitted. "don't get me wrong, I will take over if need be, but I know I'm not ready, not yet" he said. Gwen smiled at him.
"It's a wise man who recognises his limitations" she said. Arthur looked at her, an eye brow raised.
"Never took you to be the philosophical type Gwen" he said. She smiled brighter then, and shrugged.
"Sometimes all you have to do is look from the outside" she said.
"Because?"
"Because when you are inside looking out, you only ever have one view" she told him. "My grandmother taught me that" she added.
"Very wise woman" he agreed.
"She was" Gwen replied, which was when a guard ran out from the doorway beside them, looking panicked.
"Sire, you must come quickly" he said, breathing heavily. Arthur went into alert mode, a hundred thought's flashing across his mind in an instant: had something happened to his Father? To Morgana? To all of them? Or had an invading army been sighted? But the truth was much worse.
"What is it?" demanded Arthur, even as he followed the guard inside, Gwen behind him.
"Sire, it's the Dragon, its going mental" the guard said. Arthur whirled around to face Gwen.
"Stay here" he ordered. Gwen nodded and watched as Arthur ran after the guard.
The cavern below the castle was awash in flames as the Dragon circled around, belching fire in every direction. Arthur standing in the doorway watching.
"How long as it been like this?" he whispered, as he watched the enraged creature. The guard shook his head.
"At least fifteen minuets sire, I was on guard at the top then it began to roar, I came down to see what was happening and when it saw me it went mental, I barely got out" the guard said.
"Did it say anything?" Arthur asked
"I think it said something about the Darkness is approaching but I could be wrong" the guard admitted. Arthur nodded, then looked back out at the beast, then back at the guard.
"No one is to come down here, hopefully it'll exhaust itself before too long and we can find out what's up" he said. The guard nodded then followed Arthur back up the stairs.
"How are your feet feeling?" asked Morgana, even as she shivered, darkness had finally descended and the coldness of the night enveloped them once again.
"I have toes" he replied happily. "Wriggly toes" he added, and she could imagine the silly grin on his face.
"Good, because we need to get out of here" she said.
"I'm open to suggestions" he said. Then waited. "Morgana?" he asked.
"I'm thinking" she said. She felt Merlin nod. Then suddenly he began to sing softly, she frowned as she listened.
"Please don't tell me you've lost your mind" she interrupted.
"huh?" he asked.
"You were singing" she pointed out. Merlin cringed.
"Sorry, I do that sometimes when I'm nervous" he replied. Morgana thought about that then tilted her head back towards him.
"You're nervous?" she asked.
"Well, aren't you? I mean Uther is riding into a trap, we're helpless, and to be honest, I don't think these bonds can just be cut" he added. "They're magical, so I'm pretty certain only magic will break them" he replied.
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that" she said, before they lapsed into silence.
"Morgana?" asked Merlin after what seemed eternity.
"Yes?"
"Do you have any idea why this Nimueh has such a hatred towards Uther?" he asked.
"He probably killed someone she knew, that's what it usually boils down to" Morgana said.
"Yeah but that's the point, I mean remember Mary Collins?" he asked. Morgana shuddered, how could she forget the woman who had tried to kill Arthur, only for Arthur to be saved by the man with her now. A bitter woman to be sure, but, more than that, she had been a grieving mother. Yes her action's had been wrong, but then, by the same token, so had Uther's in ordering her sons execution. But it was the way Merlin had asked the question that intrigued her most.
"I remember her" she said simply. "what's that have to do with anything?" she asked.
"I'm just thinking, I mean she was bad enough, looking like lady Helena and that, but this Nimueh this magic, this is a lot more powerful than other magic we've encountered" he explained. "So why go to all the trouble of luring Uther here to kill him, surely someone of her power should be able to just, I don't know, teleport or something" he added.
"Why do I get the feeling I don't like where this is going?" she asked quietly.
"Because, with you here, Uther here, all that leaves is Arthur in Camelot… " he reasoned.
"You think this is a trap for the whole kingdom?" she asked.
"Take out the king, and his ward, and you have a broken prince ruling" Merlin said. Morgana remained silent for several moments, processing the logic.
"I hope Arthur's alright" she muttered.
"So do I" he agreed.
The roar of the great dragon was enough to not only pierce the stone walls of the castle, but to set Arthur on edge. It had been four hours now and the beast was still raging below. Arthur looked over at the council members and sir Geoffrey in particular.
"You're sure it can't get free?" he asked, not for the first time. Geoffrey blinked and slowly nodded.
"the chains are proof against Dragons sire, that's why we used them" he replied. But, Arthur thought, he did not sound enthusiastic.
"We need to find out what's driving it mad" Arthur stated.
"Sire, your not thinking of going in there with it" Leon protested. Arthur looked at him and frowned.
"Do I look that much of an idiot?" Arthur asked.
"No, of course not sire, not at all" came the chorus of responses.
"yes" said a voice from the back of the group. Arthur was nodding then he blinked as everyone else went very quiet.
"I'll ignore that remark" he muttered.
Uther and Gaius set out before sunrise the following morning, neither not having got much sleep from the previous night. So when the mist shrouded sea came into view, the ruins of the Isle of the Blessed poking up in the distance, they were grateful that the sky was clear. Slowly they made their way down to the rotting wharf, seeing the small boat situated there. Slowly they climbed into it, after tethering the horses to a robust looking tree. As soon as Gaius had climbed in and say down it began to move slowly.
"Please be safe Morgana" muttered Uther softly, wincing, but if Gaius heard the comment, he made no indication of it.
"MERLIN!" screamed Morgana as Merlin began to cough, gasping to get air into his body. Morgana had felt the bonds loosen again suddenly, which meant the ones on Merlin had tightened again, this time including the one around his neck.
"Oh poor little Noble, what do you think of your precious love now" said Nimueh walking over to them.
"Please, stop this" Morgana yelled, tears streaming down her face. Nimueh smiled evilly and looked at her.
"This close to the end? Nothing can stop what is going to happen here" she said. "Nothing" she added. "Uther is here, Merlin will die and all because of you" she said to Morgana. "Now doesn't that make you feel so loved" she laughed.
"ENOUGH NIMUEH!" Uther's voice boomed out across the ruins. "This game is done!" he yelled.
"Uther, I have to admit I'm surprised both of them managed to survive" Nimueh said in greeting. Uther looked past her, seeing Morgana and Merlin both bound in magical bonds.
"What have you done to them?" he demanded, as Gaius appeared behind him. Nimueh broke into a laugh seeing him.
"This is the rescue party?" she asked, looking at him.
"More than enough for you" Uther said, moving forwards.
"STOP!" yelled Morgana as loud as she could. Uther paused, looking at her.
"It's a trap" Merlin replied through ragged breaths. Uther looked at Nimueh eyes wide in anger.
"You would use my family against me?" he demanded.
"No Uther, you used them against yourself, I knew you be forced to come here, to my domain, and what perfect bait you provided.
"What have you done to them?" Gaius demanded.
"Me? Nothing except bind them. Uther on the other hand has done a great deal" she said.
"constrictus!" Gaius exclaimed, and for a moment Uther though he had cast a spell.
"Very good Gaius, I see you've not been lax in your research" Nimueh congratulated him.
"What are they?" demanded Uther.
"A deadly weapon sire, used by High priestesses to torture their victims. Two or more are placed side by side, but as one subject is favoured over another, they lessen on one person and tighten on another" he explained.
"Yes, and I have to admit I wasn;t overly shocked to see Merlin bearing the brunt of your feelings for Morgana" Nimueh said. "Now, I tire of this. You will come into the circle Uther, or I swear both of them will die" she vowed.
"You can't!" yelled Morgana.
"Camelot needs its king!" yelled Merlin. Uther looked away, then back at her.
"Agreed, but on two conditions"
"You would give me conditions?" she demanded.
"I would!" he snarled. "first you will let me speak to them, and secondly they will both be allowed to go free" he said.
"Compassion from you? You grow more amazing by the second" she sneered. "Very well, approach" she said.
"Sire" said Gaius, warningly. Uther looked at him and any further protest died in his throat. Slowly Uther stepped forwards several paces, and with a glare at Nimueh he knelt down.
"Are you alright?" he asked Morgana gently. Slowly she shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. He smiled and then reached out, stroking her cheek softly. Then he looked at Merlin.
"And you?" he asked. Merlin nodded.
"You should have let me die, she would be free" Merlin said. Uther smiled again.
"I see the makings of a great noble in you Merlin" he said.
"Now, the touching reunion is over, we can get to business" Nimueh said with a smile. Uther stood and turned to face her, lightning began to dance around her hands.
"it will break Arthur to know how you all died together did you hinestly think I'd lat any of you live?" she said. "Now good riddance" she snarled. Lightning danced from her hands, and Uther roared, even as he was suddenly tripped to the side by Merlin and Morgana. The lightning missed Uther, but hit Morgana, before it danced across their bodies.
"And what did that accomplish?" Nimueh snarled, then she roared as the magical bonds began to fade, Merlin falling to the side gasping fro breath, even as Morgana slumped over.
"Get her out of here" said Uther, casting a quick glance at him. Merlin grabbed her, pulling her away towards Gaius.
"They won't get far, Once I finish with you that is" she said. Then she raised her hands to the sky, her eyes glowing.
"Gaius?" asked Merlin as the physician leaned over her. He checked her then, looked up.
"her pulse is erratic, but she's alive for the moment" he said.
"Then keep her that way" Merlin said, turning and rushing back towards Uther and Nimueh.
The lightning bolt should have, would have hit Uther had Merlin not knocked him out of the way, so as Uther went tumbling, Merlin was thrown back to the ground, a smoking hole in his tunic.
"Interfering little rat!" Nimueh snarled at him, even as Uther got to his feet.
On the floor Merlin felt the pain of his body trying to shut down, willing himself to stay alive, suddenly he felt it, a warmth flowing through him, magic, pure, uncorrupted magic. He lay there, perfectly still, even as he listened, slightly amazed at Uther's next words.
"Let the boy go, your quarrel is with me not him!" Uther shouted. Nimueh actually passed in that instant, turning to him.
"A plea for mercy, for you?" she demanded. "Oh how times have truly changed. But it doesn't matter, you'll still die" she sneered, as around the three of them, a ring of fire exploded from the ground. Merlin moved away as quickly as he could, standing behind her, while Uther stood in front. Nimueh for her part turned to the side, watching both of them.
"You think even two of you can beat me?" she snarled. "I am a high priestess of the old religion! And you have no idea of the power I possess!" she roared at them.
"A power greatly diminished if you have to resort to kidnapping innocents to get my attention!" Uther roared.
"No one in the Pendragon line is innocent Uther, you made sure of that" she snarled. "Now, burn like so many others you have killed!" she yelled, a line of fire shooting out from the edge of the fire inwards. Uther moved quickly out of the way, even as Merlin kicked her in the back of her knees.
"Hey! You fixed my leg!" he said with a grin.
"An oversight I will soon rectify" she snarled as a line of fire darted out from behind him.
"Woah!" Merlin said as he jumped out of the way, to land next to Uther who smiled and nodded at him.
"sire" Merlin said.
"Merlin" Uther replied. Nimueh roared in anger again then behind the pair of them a third line of fire raced forwards.
"Oh, sorry" said Merlin, as they dived to either side, Nimueh screaming as the line of fire went straight into her. She screamed as she burnt, Merlin looking away from the sight, the smell. Eventually she collapsed to her knees, the fire dying away until only her charred body remained.
"Such a pitiful end" muttered Merlin. Beside him Uther clapped him on the back, Merlin looked at him, then grinned, before it suddenly fell away.
"Morgana!" he yelled, running, Uther with him.
Gaius was tending to her, looking up as they both ran up. Merlin falling to his knees beside her, she wasn't moving, at all.
"Don't you dare leave me now" Merlin said angrily, leaning over her.
"Merlin, she's gone" said Gaius. Merlin looked up at him, his face saying what his voice could not.
"Get blankets, and water" he said, behind him, Uther was crying, Merlin's heart finally starting to soften towards him.
"Now Gaius!" Merlin almost shouted. Gaius nodded and stood.
"Sire, If you can go to the beach, get some water, fill this" said Gaius, handing Uther an empty water pouch.
"But…"
"Sire, speed is of the essence" Gaius replied. Uther nodded, then with a last glance at Morgana, he hurried away as Gaius went to the horse and watched, the moment he was out of sight he turned to Merlin.
"Now" he hissed, Merlin didn't need to be told twice, instead he held his hand over Morgana, eyes closed.
"Sincto Lafatta Norch O' Dakor, sileast, mordoth nerve solft" he intoned, opening his eyes, they glowed brightly. "Come on, come on…" he muttered.
"Sincto Lafatta Norch O' Dakor, sileast, mordoth nerve solft he said again, his eyes glowing brighter this time. Still nothing. With a snarl of rage he gripped her hand tightly.
Sincto Lafatta Norch O' Dakor, sileast, mordoth nerve solft he said a third time, this time he felt it, the tug of something deep within him, even as Uther came running back with the filled water pouch.
"here" he said, handing it to Merlin. Merlin took it and then poured it on her face. Her eyes shot open and she coughed.
"What? How?" asked Uther, frowning.
"A shock to the system" said Gaius with a laugh. "Her heart was beating irregularly, he literally shocked it back into rhythm" he explained, lying to cover the magic.
"Merlin?" she asked softly. He smiled down at her, then pulled her into a hug.
"Never do that again" he said. Even as Uther reached past her and gripped her hand.
"I thought I'd lost you" he said softly. She shook her head.
"I'm sorry" she said quietly.
"What for?" he asked.
"for making you come all the way out here for us" she said with a smile. Uther only chuckled, then stood as Merlin leant forwards again, kissing her passionately. Slowly she broke away.
"There's two things though" she said.
"And what are they?" Merlin asked.
"You'd better kiss me like that in the future" she said with a smile. "secondly, why the hell am I covered in freezing water?" she demanded. Merlin blinked.
"Ah.." he replied. Morgana nodded, then picked up the water pouch and poured the rest of the contents of it on his head. Behind them, Uther began to laugh, Gaius with him. Finally Morgana and Merlin joined in.
"Oh, I can see we're in for quite the adventure" Uther muttered. Beside him, Gaius gave a grin.
"And if I might point out, you sound like you're looking forwards to it" Uther blinked then chuckled again, before, after helping Morgana up, they returned to the boat, and sailed away.
Twenty minuets later...
"So close, and yet still not enough" said a man's voice as he kicked the still smoking remains of Nimueh. Slowly he turned away.
"Not to worry, I'll be dealing with them soon" he added. Then he opened his arms wide.
"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes" above him several shapes came into view, landing before him with a thud.
"Balinor" said the cobalt skinned Dragon nearest to him.
"the time is nigh my friend, soon we shall show Uther just how successful his purge was" he said.
"Long have we waited for this day" it replied.
"Then go, prepare the flight for our vengeance awaits" he commanded. The Dragon took flight, going into the air, the other's following, Balinor watching as another person moved up behind him.
"You have not forgotten our deal?" the woman asked.
"Of course" he said. The woman smiled and watched the Dragons flying away, before looking around.
"Within a fortnight there will be less of Camelot then there is of this place, and my sister will take her rightful place at my side" Morgause said. Then she turned to Balinor.
"And what of your son? When he learns the truth?" she asked.
"If fights against me, then he can die with them" Balinor said.
In the cavern's below Camelot The Great Dragon finally fell silent. The call of the Dragonlord had finally ended, at least for the moment.
It was late when they arrived back in Camelot, Arthur rushing down the stairs to greet the returned group, also glad that the Dragon had finally quietened down, he had considered telling his Father, but decided against it. He was banned from seeing the Dragon as it was. To investigate while it was going mental… that was asking for trouble, so instead he held out his arms.
"You took your time!" snapped Arthur, even as he pulled Morgana into a hug. She smiled.
"And I never thought I'd be happy to see you" she said, with a smile.
"Tomorrow there must be a celebration, the death of the sorceress and the safe return of our princess" said Uther, beaming, "and of course, to decorate the person who saved her" he added. Then he gestured to Merlin. Arthur smiled and patted him on the back then frowned, as he looked from Merlin to Morgana.
"Why can I smell salt?" he asked, walking into the castle Uther began to laugh.
To Be continued…..