Disclaimer (because I haven't done it in a while): I do not own Merlin I only own my OCs.

Here's the next chapter.

Sorry it took my a while. We are getting to the most important part.

Please read and enjoy.

The Duel

Merlin had stayed close to Arthur's side as soon as the ash had begun to fall. He watched his back as the sorcerers attacked. One of the sorcerers had almost gotten Arthur from behind but Merlin quickly countered with a spell. He didn't expect the man to cry out so loudly. His eyes were still gold when he saw Arthur begin to turn around. His heart beat wildly in his chest. This was it, the moment of truth. But Merlin wasn't ready.

That's when an unexpected explosion detonated far enough away not to hurt anyone. That was strange. It did the trick and Arthur's attention was drawn long enough for Merlin to grab a real sword and attempt to fight another sorcerer.

Merlin didn't see who had created the sudden explosion. It had been rather convenient. A shadow moved in the corner of his eye. The shadow. Merlin had caught glimpses of it a few times when they had been on quests. He had never gotten a good look at it but he knew it was the same one every time.

Yes, Merlin was the all-powerful warlock but even he couldn't be everywhere at once or take care of every danger that came their way. He was surprised he had gotten this far on his own. Or maybe he wasn't alone. Maybe there was someone else out there doing what they could to help destiny.

The acts of the shadow had all been similar. As Merlin was protecting Arthur, he had a feeling that the shadow was somehow protecting him. Many of the shadow's appearances had been when Arthur was about to discover his magic but something would always draw his gaze, like that explosion.

Merlin looked around to see if he could finally catch a glimpse of his savior but the shadow was gone like all the other times. He had to admit that he was disappointed. He wanted to thank whoever it had been. Merlin wondered if this is how Arthur felt when he couldn't find the person who had mysteriously saved his life all of these years.

Merlin's thoughts were broken when he saw Arthur run for the castle doors. He saw the shadowy figures that the prince must have seen disappear into the castle. Without another thought, Merlin followed without delay.

They followed the intruders until they came to the throne room. They burst through the doors to find an uncomfortable sight. The knights who had been protecting the king had been cut down and the king was backed into a corner with a sword at his throat. The young sorcerer who held the sharp piece of metal did not look over when they loudly made their entrance.

Merlin wasn't surprised when he saw who was sitting on the throne. Morgana. Another sorceress stood in between them and Morgana. She wore a dark lavender dress with the same cloak as Morgana. Her hood was up so neither of them could see her face. Her stance was protective and gave off an air of danger. Even Merlin didn't think it wise to take another step toward the witch who wrongfully sat on the throne of Camelot.

"It's been a long time brother." She smirked. Her grin, however, quickly disappeared and was replaced with what looked like confusion. "You're supposed to be dead, you and your king. Or at least close to it."

That's when Merlin pieced it together. The poisonous leaves. He knew it was probably Morgana who had put them there to infect the royal family. This must be why. She must have hoped that the incurable poison would have weakened them enough for her to easily take Camelot. The city would have been vulnerable with their leaders at death's door.

All of this had been for power. Everything that had happened was because someone was after the stupid crown. Gaia was dying for this. The thought made Merlin angry. Things didn't go well when Merlin got angry. He was about to take a step toward the witch but Arthur beet him to it.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"It doesn't matter now, either way it was inevitable that you would die today. The how doesn't make a difference." The grin returned to Morgana's face. "It seemed I underestimated Emrys. He was able to save you after all."

"Emrys?" Arthur was confused.

Merlin shifted uncomfortably beside him. He also felt guilty. He hadn't been the one to save Arthur this time. It had been Gaia and she was the one to pay the price.

"Yes, Emrys." Morgana elaborated. "Your protector. You mean to tell me that not even you know who he really is?"

Arthur's silence was her answer. She laughed. It was an evil cackle and sent a shiver up their spines. Even the sorceress standing between them hesitated for a moment but quickly regained her stance. Morgana's evil laugh was enough to make anyone uneasy.

"Well done Emrys." She called out loudly, knowing that the powerful warlock was listening. What she didn't know was that there was no need to raise her voice. He was closer then anyone realized.

It looked like Arthur was about to say something but they were interrupted when the doors to the throne room were opened again. More of the sorcerers packed into the room. They were followed by a few of the knights, which included all the Knights of the Round Table.

They all went and stood by their leaders, ready to give them support if need be. Arthur was grateful for the rise in numbers.

"The cavalry has arrived." Morgana laughed. "But the outcome of today will still be the same no matter what you do. You cannot win Arthur Pendragon."

"You watch me." Arthur growled. "I don't need magic to win." Uther was definitely proud of his son at that moment. Merlin, however, felt otherwise.

The ash had been ominous, the sign of death, but who had it come for? Merlin had only ever heard of ash falling when big battles were about to take place and loss of life was eminent. His guard was up. He didn't know what was going to happen but whatever it was it couldn't be good.

Morgana stood from the throne. "Is that a challenge?" She asked slyly.

"It is our fault that you are like this." Arthur finally admitted, catching Morgana by surprise. "So it is my job to stop you."

Merlin wanted to object. There was no way he could win this fight on his own no matter how much anyone wanted to believe he could. He was the Once and Future King but he was not invincible.

Morgana walked toward Arthur who had drawn his sword, but she was cut off when the hooded sorceress stood in her way. She grabbed the witch's arm, preventing her from taking another step toward the prince.

"Are you sure this is wise milady?" She cautioned.

There was something about her voice that struck a memory in Arthur's mind. Where had he heard that voice before? It made him raise his sword in front of his heart to protect it. Why?

"Of course I am sure." Morgana pulled away from the hooded one. "Don't question my decisions." She continued on her route toward Arthur and he went to meet her half way.

"Arthur!" Merlin tried to call him back but it was no use.

Everyone's attention was drawn towards the doors again when they opened and one last person strode into the room. She came with purpose.

She wore a deep forest green dress and a cloak of the same colour. The cloak was the same design as Morgana's and the hooded sorceress. The hood was up so her face was shrouded in darkness.

"Stop." She came until she was standing right next to Merlin. She was shorter then him, as most people were. The girl had an air of power and familiarity. The one dressed in lavender took a few steps forward.

"So many interruptions." Morgana moaned.

"This fight is between you and me." The girl beside Merlin spoke up. "Leave everyone else out of this."

"What are you talking about?" Morgana spat. "We have never met before."

"Hold your tongue Morgana." That shut her up. "I wasn't talking to you and you are wrong to think we have never met before."

"What?" Morgana asked incredulously.

"This was never your fight Morgana." The hooded one walked until she was standing beside but a little ahead of Morgana. "This final battle was not meant for you."

"It was meant for us." The girl in green removed her hood to reveal short brown hair and a scar that ran under her right eye.

"Gaia?" Sir Leon stepped forward to see if his eyes were deceiving him.

"Isn't that right Eris?" Gaia finished, ignoring the knight.

The hooded one removed her hood to reveal long wavy black hair that she had tied up into a ponytail. A strand of it had come loose and was hanging limply against the left side of her face.

Arthur gasped. It was her. The one they had met in the forest. Her appearance was not easy to forget. She was the sorceress, or witch, who had left him with only a warning. A warning that still lay fresh in his mind.

He looked to the one who stood next to Merlin. He never imagined. The first time he had seen her she had asked him if he wanted the usual for the banquet. It never even crossed his mind that she was so deeply involved in all of this. How would he have acted if he had known?

"Eris, what is the meaning of this?" Morgana spoke her disbelief.

"We have fought for years, always on different sides." Eris explained. "Each time we managed to get out alive. Now it is time for us to fight one more time."

"One last time." Gaia added. "Only one can leave this room alive."

The atmosphere in the room became darker at her words. Merlin stood there in shock. He had suspected that there was something different about her but he had never imagined this. Only this morning she had been smiling and laughing as if she were innocent but it seemed her true nature was very different. Or maybe that had been her and this was only another side. It was still hard to believe that they were one in the same.

"I challenge you Eris." Gaia removed something from her sleeve. "To a duel of magic."

She threw the handkerchief she had taken from her sleeve and it landed half way between her and Eris, slowly flouting to the ground. Eris' eyes widened for a moment but soon returned to the way they had been, unfazed. She moved as fast as lightning toward the small piece of cloth, scooping it up into her hand.

"I accept." She spoke darkly.

Before Gaia went to meet her she stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Merlin's ear so no one else could hear. "Keep your secret safe. It is not yet time to share."

Merlin's eyes widened. It had been her. Gaia was his shadow. It all made sense now. As he protected Arthur she protected him. She was like him in so many ways. No one had suspected her of magic because she was forced to hide it. She worked from the shadows to protect and make sure the future didn't change.

Merlin looked down at her and mouthed 'thank you', because that was all he was able to get in before she was gone.

The air in the room became cold as Gaia joined Eris in the center of the room. They stared daggers into each other's eyes for a long moment, making everyone else in the room anxious. Then they turned away from each other at the same time and walked a few steps before turning back.

They began to circle each other. Their right arms hung limply beside them and a sort of white powder poured from their sleeves. It trailed beside them and soon their lines overlapped and they had created a giant circle in the middle of the room.

Merlin had never seen this ritual before. He looked over to Gaius, who had somehow slipped in with the knights, and even he looked confused.

Then they stopped in unison. They spoke together a spell, their voices melding together. Something was off. This didn't seem like a duel of any kind any of them had seen.

Their eyes turned gold and stayed that way as they chanted. A look of realization spread across Morgana's face. She strode to the edge of the circle with her arms outstretched, prepared to begin her counter spell, but she never got the chance.

Eris and Gaia lunged together and each grabbed one of Morgana's arms, pulling her into the circle. Some of the other sorcerers ran forward to help their lady but they were unable to cross the boarder of the circle. A force was holding them back.

"What are you doing?" Morgana screeched.

They released her arms and she stumbled back. She tried to run out of the circle but it was keeping her in. She growled in frustration and looked back at her captures.

"I demand to know what this is." She was loosing her patience. "Why have you betrayed me Eris?"

"I would never betray Morgana." Eris spoke with confidence.

"What are you talking about? I am Morgana." She tried to convince them.

"And Morgana would never betray us." Gaia spoke this time.

Everyone in the room was now completely confused. What was going on? Why were they talking like that?

"I am Morgana Pendragon." She tried again.

"No, you're not." Eris stepped towards her. "And you haven't been for a very long time."

Morgana tried to speak again but suddenly Eris was standing in front of her. She moved so quickly that she tore the words from Morgana's mouth. She was speechless.

"I am so sorry Morgana." Before Morgana could step away, Eris pressed her palm to Morgana's forehead, grounding her there. She and Gaia chanted in unison again. Morgana froze, her body becoming rigid.

Suddenly her eyes turned black. The darkness rolled out of her eyes like smoke and accumulated in an empty part of the circle. The darkness swirled around trying to figure out what shape it would take.

Soon the whites of her eyes were visible again and the darkness was completely gone. The chanting stopped and Morgana collapsed. Gaia rushed forward and managed to catch her just before she cracked her head on the ground. She cradled her in her arms and looked up at the swirling smoke.

It had finally decided on a shape. The smoke took on the form of a woman. No one could tell what age she was or whether she was beautiful or ugly. She had long hair that floated around her head, but she was still black smoke.

The woman had her eyes closed. She stood there perfectly still. Everyone in the room was just waiting. They wanted her to move but they were afraid what they might see when she did.

Then she breathed a sigh and opened her eyes. They were pure white. No one could look into them for very long without starting to see black spots dancing across their vision.

Eris hissed between her teeth at the sight of the woman but didn't look away. She blinked and her eyes became black like Morgana's had been.

Gaia seethed and her eyes too became black like an endless pit.

"Hello mother."

I'm sorry. I swear the next one is the last. I will stop messing with you guys.

On the other hand, thank you for reading and please REVIEW!

Another cliff hanger. What does it mean? Who is this strange lady?

Please send me your thoughts on what you think will happen.