Merlin
Love By any Other name
Part 16
"MOVE!" Yelled Morgana as the great claw of the beast slammed down towards the group. They did so, Morgana and Gwen, half dragging Arthur between them one way, while Merlin, carrying Jamie and Gaius went the other. Morgause, turning and moving towards Morgana, Gwen and Arthur. The Beast roared again as it's victims split into two groups. It swept its claw downwards, the ground shuddering from the impact.
"Any more bright ideas?" yelled Gaius, as he scrambled to his feet, Merlin doing the same.
"I'm working on it!" Merlin yelled as behind them, from the other side of the Beast the girls began to scream, drawing its attention. Merlin put Jamie on the ground, Gaius taking the child's hand, then he ran towards the Beast, hands out, calling on his magic and the power of a Dragonlord. Flames spewed forwards, searing the putrid flesh, the Beast roared, turning back to Merlin.
"Insolent little whelp. You think to attack me here!" it roared down at him, raising it's claw again. Merlin darted out of the way, being thrown to the ground by the impact as the Beast's claw hit the hard, cracked ground. Gaius and Jamie had moved around to Morgana and the others, Jamie hugging Morgana tightly. Suddenly from beside them, bolts of electricity began to ark outwards towards the Beast, arching along its back. Morgana looked over to See Morgause, her own arms held forwards attacking the beast with magic. The beast roared again, its attention split between Merlin and Morgause. It roared, then leapt forwards, back into the crater it had made when it emerged. The ground became very still all of a sudden, everyone looking at each other.
"Is it gone?" asked Jamie quietly. No one answered, when suddenly the ground behind Morgause exploded upwards, sending her flying, the Claw of the beast was visible for just a moment before it went back under the ground. Morgause slowly got to her feet, folding her side as she looked around.
"Split up!" yelled Merlin as the ground exploded again, in front of him, he too was thrown back, landing heavily on the ground, looking up as the group did as he instructed, Gaius moving one way, Morgana and Jamie another, Gwen supporting Arthur heading towards some trees, and Morgause heading… right for him.
"I said split up!" he yelled. Morgause blinked, then smirked.
"I know" she muttered, and in that instant Merlin realised his mistake as she drew her sword, her eyes were jet black. Behind her, he saw the savage true form of the beast emerging from the ground again.
"You.." he muttered, even as he grabbed his own sword. The Beast roared as she advanced.
"Finish him Morgause, and our pact will be complete" it hissed.
"But you attacked him!" Merlin said as he parried a blow. Morgause snarled at him.
"Are you so stupid? That wasn't an attack! That was my signal! We knew you'd come sooner or later, this, all this has been a trap for you. And with you finally dead My sister will join me and take her rightful place as queen!" she roared, clashing her blade down again.
"That's how you knew this was going to happen" Merlin roared in anger, hitting back with his own weapon.
"I need allies, and the beast, is a most powerful one!" Morgause snarled. Suddenly the beast roared and the ground trembled beneath them. In the distance Gwen began to scream. Merlin looked over for just a moment, then, eyes glowing yellow he blasted Morgause away. She went flying to land hard on the ground, slowly rolling over onto her knees. She looked up groggily as Merlin advanced on her, raising his sword, then he brought the hilt down hard across her head and she fell into darkness.
"Weak little mortal!" the Beast roared, turning towards Merlin again and advancing. Merlin held up his hands blasting fire out, the Beast reared back, then slammed down, Merlin fell back, his sword falling from his hand. He scrambled back, seeing the melted patch of skin on it's face.
"If you can hurt it you can kill it" Merlin muttered, he reached for the sword, pulling it back to him with magic, it found his hand easily, then the light was blotted out, the beast standing over him.
"He's going to be killed" Whispered Gwen, as Morgana and Gaius ran back over to her. Morgana followed her gaze, not want to watch. Then she suddenly felt calm. At peace, and stepped forwards.
"My Lady!" yelled Gaius and Gwen both. Jamie hugging Arthur's leg. Slowly Morgana raised her hands.
"Solopa nastasha!" Morgana screamed, green energy flying from her hands to blast into the Beast's back. It reared up again, Merlin scrambling out of the way.
"Oh my god…." Breathed Arthur, eyes wide, seeing what his half-sister had just done.
"Magic? Morgana has Magic?" Gwen was startled beyond belief. The beast turned towards her.
"I told you I would fight you" Morgana sneered.
"Be wary Morgana, I have a use for your un-born child But I will take someone else if need be" The Beast cautioned, roaring a moment later as flames licked out at its side, Merlin running past it. It lashed out, missing him briefly. A moment later Merlin was standing next to her.
"I have a secret" Morgana muttered.
"I noticed" Merlin replied with a grin as they stood in front of it. Morgana suddenly grinned, and took Merlin's hand. The power swelled with both of them as they held up their hands. The circuit almost complete. They both closed their eyes, then opened them.
"Solopa nastasha!" they both roared, green energy bolts flying forwards, hitting the Beast.
"What is this!" it roared, as it staggered by the attack.
"This is everything you despise!" Yelled Merlin.
"Love!" Cried Morgana, as they blasted it again, the Beast roared, moving forwards. A second later Merlin looked over as Arthur put an arm on his shoulder, Gwen standing behind Morgana.
"Friendship!" Arthur called out. Merlin looked at him again, and smiled.
"You think to stop me?" it roared.
"We do" the group said in unison. Morgana and Merlin both raised their hands, the circuit was complete. The four were whole.
"Solopa nastasha!" Merlin and Morgana roared again. The green bolts of magical energy shot forwards, this time they didn't stop moving, instead ripping through the flesh of the beast as if it was nothing but tissue. Blood the colour of oil spurted from it as it roared in pain.
"This.. cannot be…" it hissed, even as another set of magical bolts hit , It roared and looked up, the mighty Beast… terrified. Then with one final roar it fell silent as a bolt hit it dead centre in the face. It staggered, the ground trembling before with a mighty crash it fell, blood oozing from it. Slowly Merlin and Morgana lowered their arms. Gwen and Arthur letting go of them, Merlin turning to catch Arthur as he staggered forwards.
"Easy" Merlin said. Arthur nodded, giving a half grin.
"Well, this is going to make one hell of a story when we get back" Arthur managed.
"here, let me help" said Gwen, moving over to him. Merlin smiled at her, And Arthur took Gwen as a support. Slowly Merlin turned to Morgana, smiling at her, he hadn't let go of her hand.
"I thought I'd never see you again" she whispered. Merlin shook his head.
"Never, never think that" he said to her, then they kissed again, interrupted only as Jamie stumbled over to them.
Gaius, Gwen and Arthur watched the family reunion fondly, smiling as Merlin and Morgana knelt down, pulling Jamie into their hug. Gwen looked over, seeing Arthur, his eyes wet.
"Arthur?" she asked softly. He looked at her.
"What?" he asked, then felt his eyes. "Okay, I'm not good with happy endings" he muttered, Gwen smiled and took his hand, he frowned, but didn't resist.
"I hate to break this up, but it's getting darker" Gaius warned them, and it was true. The darkness was indeed creeping in around them now.
"We need to go! Now!" yelled Arthur. Merlin, Morgana looked up and seeing what was happening nodded.
"come on" said Morgana, taking Jamie's hand, they other's already heading towards the rippling portal. Merlin looked back, seeing Morgause looking up.
"Don't leave me Sister" she muttered. Merlin looked at Morgana, then with a frustrated sigh, ran back and helped her up.
"You have a hell of a lot to answer for" he whispered to her. Morgause remained silent as he led her through the Portal.
He looked up at the other's faces as he half carried Morgause back into the ruined Pharmacy. It was light out, and he smiled as behind him the portal closed.
"we made it" muttered Morgana.
"But how many people didn't?" asked Gaius softly. The group looked at each other, then towards the door to Merlin's room.
"But we did win" said Arthur, with a smile, it slowly began to fade, as he caught everyone's glances. "we did.. right?" he asked again. Merlin suddenly stepped forwards.
"Arthur, I'm sorry. I wanted to save him, I was too slow" Merlin said.
"No" Arthur stated. Merlin shook his head softly.
"He's gone Arthur" Morgana said softly.
"NO!" Arthur roared, pushing past Merlin, storming to the door to Merlin's old room, slamming it open. Merlin watched, feeling his friend's pain, then went to move after him, he was stopped as Morgana put a hand on his arm, shaking her head slowly. Merlin took a deep breath and nodded. She smiled, and walked towards the room, where Arthur had fallen to his knees.
"Arthur" she said softly, then closed the door. Merlin looked down as Jamie took his hand.
"Will Arthur be alright?" Jamie asked softly. Merlin smiled and knelt down, pulling him into an embrace. Gaius and Gwen looked at each other, Gaius taking her hand holding it tightly, as Gwen vowed to herself she would not cry. Morgause looking at the groups, quietly. She had planned this, all this to drive a wedge between the Pendragon's, and my god how it had back fired spectacularly, instead of driving them apart, it had drawn them closer together, tighter knit then they were before. Suddenly she snarled, causing the others to look at her, before she vanished in a whirlwind of energy.
"Damn it!" snapped Gaius. Merlin looked at him.
"She'll be back" he said quietly, even as from behind the closed door, they heard Arthur sobbing in rage, Morgana's soft tones comforting him, even as her own voice broke.
"We should let them be" Gwen suddenly said, anxious to be out of the room, away from the painful sounds. No one argued as she opened the other door, leading them out.
Two Days later….
Uther's remains had been cleaned, he'd been donned in a set of burial armour, and he had been laid in a state of rest. Arthur had become very quiet, very withdrawn over the past couple of days, not speaking to Merlin at all. Merlin hadn't minded, realised what Arthur had been going through, and had vowed to give him time to come around. Morgana had also been patient with him in regards to his cold shoulder treatment, a fact that was amazing in and of itself. Gwen was attempting to busy herself as best she could, but found herself never straying too far from Arthur. Of all of them, it was Jamie who had managed to get past Arthur's defences, going with him to visit Uther as he lay in state.
Merlin looked up from the desk where he was writing on a piece of parchment, putting the quill down as Arthur walked in. Morgana looked over from by the Dresser, Gwen at her side.
"Please leave us" Arthur said simply, looking at the women. Morgana looked briefly at Merlin, who nodded.
"Come Gwen" she said, taking Jamie's hand as she moved towards the doors. Gwen following her as they walked out. As soon as they were gone, Arthur gently closed the door, looking around the room, at the bed, the dresser, the floor, anywhere but at Merlin.
Give him time Merlin thought to himself as Arthur appeared to be gathering his thoughts. He slowly walked across the room, to the window, Merlin following his movements.
"I always knew this day would come" Arthur said softly. "Then my father would die, I would become king. I was just never prepared for it" looking slightly over his shoulder. "We're a lot alike, you and I" he continued, turning around to face Merlin. "Both our parent's lost, alone in a world of harsh realities and broken dreams" he continued, walking over to the table, sitting down opposite Merlin. "I wanted to blame you, so damned much, you the vaulted Dragonlord, the magic spewing sorcerer" he muttered. Merlin looked away. "One person, all you had to do was arrive just that little bit earlier and he'd be here" Arthur muttered. "and for a time, I really did think you had waited. Waited for him to be killed, a revenge on him"
"Arthur, you know I would never do that" Merlin said.
"I wanted someone, no, needed someone the blame" Arthur carried on as if he had never heard Merlin speak, which, by the far away look in his eyes, was entirely possible. "But I can't. I know you, I know how you think, always looking for the good in people, even when there is none"
"Arthur" Merlin reached out, putting his hand on Arthur's wrist. "I'm not as good as you give me credit for, There are things in my past, dark things that… would frighten you, but that's where they stay. In the past" Merlin said. Arthur looked up, nodding.
"I know, its not easy here for you, it never has been" Arthur said. "But…" his voice trailed off slowly, and he blinked as tears began to fall from his eyes. "I'm not ready, not yet. I can't do this" he said, suddenly pulling away from Merlin. Merlin shocked him by grabbing his hand, forcing him to look back.
"You are ready Arthur, you just need to know that for yourself. And you're not alone, Not with me, Morgana, Gwen, even Jamie, hell even Gaius. We're all here Arthur, you might not feel ready to be king, to take responsibility, but no one has the luxury of deciding when and where things will happen, not even me" Merlin said. Arthur looked away, Merlin slowly letting go of his hand.
"You just need to ask us Arthur, because we're not about to abandon you" Merlin added. Arthur nodded and smiled slightly through his tears.
"I wish I had your confidence" he muttered. Merlin smiled then.
"You do" he replied. Arthur looked away, then nodded.
"I didn't mean to shut you out" he said.
"I know, and I know why you did" Merlin said. Arthur looked back, then took a deep breath, chuckling as Merlin handed him a handkerchief.
"Why are you always so damned wise?" Arthur asked as he wiped his eyes. Merlin shrugged, then poked him in the chest.
"I had good teachers" he answered.
"Me?" Arthur asked.
"And Gaius, and Uther" Merlin replied. Arthur smiled again, then opened the door.
"I expect to see you at the crowning ceremony tomorrow" Arthur stated. Merlin smiled and nodded.
"Wouldn't miss it" Arthur gave him a nod, then with another deep breath, left the room, closing the door behind him. Merlin stood there for several moments, then blinking, sat back down behind the desk.
The hall was full the following afternoon, knights and nobles that had survived the Darkness watching as Arthur knelt in front of the throne. Sir Geoffrey standing in front of him. At the front off to the side stood Morgana, Merlin and Jamie, all dressed in their best attire. In the first row of pews, Gaius stood next to Gwen, something that would have been unthinkable under Uther's rule, now stood there at the insistence of the remaining council members for their actions in defeating the Beast.
"Do you, Prince Arthur Pendragon swear to uphold the ideals and commitments set down by your forefathers?" asked Geoffrey.
"I do so swear" Arthur replied.
"Do you swear to rule with a just and wise hand?"
"I do so swear"
"Then I now name you Arthur Pendragon, Regent King of Camelot and all its lands" Geoffrey intoned, placing the crown on his head. Arthur blinked as he felt it come to rest, then slowly stood, turning to the assembly.
"Long live the king!" shouted Geoffery.
"Long live the king!, Long live the King! Long live the king!" the chorus came back.
"Oh my dear Arthur. I feel you will have the shortest reign in the history of Camelot" Muttered Morgause as she watched the proceedings. Slowly she looked away from her scrying crystal, a smile touching her lips. "A very short reign… indeed" she promised…
To Be Continued….