First off, when I read the reviews, I had two reactions.

The first was something like this - :O - due to the reviews and support you guys sent my way. The second was more like this - :[ - because I realized that I had foolishly believed the internet when it told me before that the Season 5 premier was September 29th. Upon realizing that a) I didn't have to rush updating this story and b) the wait is going to be extended another week, I screamed in frustration (takes deep breath).

Sorry everyone for the mis-information about season 5 (sobs in distress). I can't wait for it to come out, but now I'm going to have to wait longer than expected.

Thanks to: brynerose, Tolleren, TheReinbachDragonlord, Boxerbee, Starkid191, .27, TeganL74, and Revenge of the Red Pen for reviewing. I really enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope you enjoy reading it. The majority of this chapter is focused on Merlin.

Disclaimer: IDOM

Chapter 24 - When Past and Present Meet

The snarling were-wyvern took a bold step towards the group, fully taking advantage of its bigger frame to make it appear more menacing. For a moment, the world stopped moving. The knights almost couldn't believe it - Merlin was a were-wyvern! And now they would have to fight their best friend to the death.

Merlin, what did they do to you? Arthur was besides himself. Last time his friend lost control, he gathered the strength to regain it back. But now, the prince couldn't even recognize him anymore. Without warning, the were-wyvern roared and the wyverns began their attack on the many knights and soldiers who didn't make it to the safety of the castle in time.

The battle was nothing short of crazy as Camelot's army was dispersed throughout the area. The Round Table knights gathered in a circle in the center, relying on each other for defense. Attacking was out of the question as the wyverns attacked from the ground and above. Percival and Leon were both sporting cuts on their arms, Gwaine had a nasty shallow cut down his leg, and Elyan and Lancelot only had a couple bruises. Arthur, who was the least wounded, was doing all he could to protect his men but as the battle continued, it was seeming hopeless.

No! I can't give up...not when Merlin still needs our help.

At the thought of his friend, the prince's eyes traveled to were-wyvern. It just stood in the same place, its eyes borrowing into Arthur's soul. Unfortunately, in the time he took to meet his cursed friend's piercing glare, the wyverns had managed to separate him from the other knights.

"Arthur!"

Leon's voice jolted him from his daze. Turning around, his eyes widened to find that his comrades were not by his side but a few yards away. Before he could rush to their aid, a deep growl caused him to turn around.

The were-wyvern slowly began its advance to the prince, its breath visible in the cold night air. Arthur gulped at the imminent battle. He was going to have to face his best friend for the final time.

"Merlin, fight it!" Arthur said before barely deflecting another strike with his sword. Merlin didn't even flinch at the sound of his name but only seemed to further his attack.

"Come on Merlin. You're my best friend, my brother. We shouldn't be fighting" but Arthur's plea fell on deaf ears. The were-wyvern kept attacking, disregarding anything he said. The prince looked behind to realize that he was completely separated from the others by a wall of wyverns and he knew that there wasn't even a chance that they could come to his aid if he needed them.

He was, in every sense of the word, truly alone.

Slash

The were-wyvern struck again, its claws skimming Arthur's blade and creating sparks that singed the hairs on his face. He countered with a swipe of his sword, but the creature dodged the blow and slammed into the prince, forcing him back a few feet and causing him to take a second to regain his footing. Unfortunately for him, the were-wyvern took advantage and looped its tail around Arthur's leg. Before he knew it, Arthur's sword fell to the ground as he was flung through the air and pounded into the ground a couple of times before being tossed aside further away from the knights.

Arthur was dazed, his head pounding from the rough movement. He vaguely was aware of his name being called above the noise of the wyverns and clashing of swords. Faint but heavy clawed footsteps made their way over to him, each step seeming like a clap of thunder to his already throbbing mind. The black form of the were-wyvern loomed over the prince...

There was nothing he could do now.

"NO!"

He tugged on his chains again, trying to get his magic to release him from this living nightmare. Ever since the sorceress had trapped him in his subconscious, the cursed warlock had been forced to helplessly watch everything through the were-wyvern's eyes - and right now, Arthur was in trouble.

"Let me go!" He pulled on his chains and in response they tightened around his wrists, creating dark painful circles on the skin...but he didn't care. He couldn't just sit back, watch and do nothing as he was about to kill his best friend.

"Let me go!" No, he had to do something - anything - to stop this. The manacles dug deeper into his skin, burning his wrists as he tugged futilely. He looked up at the reflective ice that served as his window to the outside world, only to see that he - the were-wyvern - was getting closer to the prince. Arthur began backing away on the ground, trying to get as much distance as he could from the black beast. The prince pleaded with his friend but like before, they fell on deaf ears.

"Arthur!" And now, the were-wyvern stood over the prince, cornering him against the farthest wall. The knights couldn't help him now. Weaponless, Arthur became still, gazing into the white eyes of his cursed friend and accepting his fate.

Merlin turned his head downward. "Please" the warlock said, head bowed. "Please, someone just let me go" he whispered to the darkness of his mind. No-one answered...but it didn't matter now. Everyone was going to die. Gaius, Gwen, Lancelot, Gwaine, Leon, Percival, Elyan, Arthur - all of Camelot was going to suffer because of him and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He had failed Albion, he had failed his destiny, he had failed Arthur...

"So, you're Emrys. I didn't expect you to be so young"

Merlin's eyes shot open. Looking around him, he couldn't see anyone. He cautiously looked at the ice-like window in front to see if anything happened. Nothing happen - which startled the warlock even more. Time seemed to stop in the outside world.

"Hello. Is anyone there?"

Silence.

"That's the problem with you young people. You move through life too fast and end up missing what's right in front of you"

Merlin looked around again, but he still couldn't see anything. The voice sounded like it was coming from in front of him but that was impossible.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"Right here". The warlock looked at the ice window and immediately, a long crack ran through it. More followed until it shattered to pieces on the ground and a cloaked man came from behind, his outstretched hand falling back to his side and his golden eyes returning to their normal color.

"Who are you?"

"Well Emrys, it's a honor to meet your acquaintance" He paused.

"My name is Sawol"

Merlin found his mouth hanging in disbelief. He would add this to his 'should've seen this coming' list he had mentally formed ever since he arrived in Camelot. This was Sawol, the man who was ultimately responsible for everything that happened to him regarding the curse. The man who started it all. He looked at him - one of the most powerful warlocks ever to live - in shock. The young warlock had envisioned him to be this old, bitter, ragged looking man capable of destroying everything in his path but instead, all he saw was...

"I know. Looks are deceiving. Even though what you're picturing me looking like is a bit stereotypical, don't you think?" Sawol said in matter-of-fact tone.

"How did you..."

"Know what you were thinking?" Merlin shook his head. "Well Emrys, we're in your subconscious, if you haven't noticed. Your thoughts and memories are an open book here"

Merlin half-grinned at the older man's sarcastic words. This was definitely not what he pictured Sawol as. The older warlock had long black hair, about the length of Gwaine's hair, and deep hazel eyes. His short beard had streaks of gray running through it. His brown trousers and deep blue tunic made him almost blend in with his black cloak which had an ancient white tree embroidered on it. Altogether, he didn't look special at all.

And yet, his posture, the way he walked, the way he spoke...he did all these things with authority and power. There was no doubt in Merlin's mind that this man was in fact Sawol, one of the greatest warlock to ever live.

"You're not what I expected" the cursed warlock said.

"And neither are you. Like I said, I didn't realize you would be this young"

"How are you..."

"Here? In your subconscious?" Sawol offered, finishing Merlin's sentence.

"Can you stop doing that?"

"Sorry" he said before clearing his throat. "So, how am I here? Well, to tell you the truth, I've been here the whole time. You've just been too busy with 'stop the were-wyvern' and, I believe you phrased it, 'protect the prat' to notice my presence." Sawol smiled when Merlin blushed at the nickname he had given for the prince.

"Why are you here now?"

"Merlin. It is when we are at our lowest that we are more open, more aware, of our surroundings and it is then that the answers we seek lie open before us". Merlin lowered his head, not wanting to acknowledge the truth behind the older man's words. "And besides, you asked for help if I'm not mistaken"

"Then you'll help me get out of here?" the warlock asked, raising his head.

"Yes and no. I can't actually break these chains" he said while lightly giving them a tug, "but you can"

Merlin's eyes, which were so full of hope a moment ago, lowered to the ground before he sighed deeply. "Then I can't get out. I've tried everything but I just...can't. It's useless"

A moment of silence passed before an amused snort came from the older man's direction. Folding his arms, he leaned slightly back and addressed his younger companion. "I've been watching you ever since you've been cursed and I've gotten a chance to peruse through your memories"

"Then you know that my past is full of mistakes. I've done so much wrong in my life, I..."

"True" a slight pause "but no-one is perfect and this is exactly how I knew you were Emrys. For one so young, you have been through a lot. Hardships, loss, self-loathing, difficult choices, love - and yet you still remained good after all of that. Braver men have coward-away from such obstacles but you chose to do what was right and take responsibility for your actions, all for the sake of your friends and family... And, I fear, that was my undoing"

Merlin raised his head to meet Sawol's gaze once again. "What do you mean?"

The older warlock let out a deep sigh. "Well, when I was young I was brought up with the legendary tales of the Emrys and how he would free magic. The prophesies spoke of a time of peace, prosperity, love, and above all respect - a time when all magical and non-magical beings would be free and live harmoniously together. Everyone dreamed of that day to come and the adults in my clan, as I would later come to find out, laid that burden on me"

"As you know, I'm a warlock. My magic, like yours, showed up when I was but an infant and because of this, everyone assumed me to be Emrys and my magical studies began at an early age and were very rigorous. I spent long hours studying at first, but since I was a fast learner - my magic being instinctual and all - before long, I had every form of magic known to the druids mastered. I didn't need anyone's help. In a short amount of time, I was able to surpass all of my teachers who had drilled all their hopes and expectations into me"

"I grew prideful. I just didn't think, but I knew that I was the most powerful one amongst the elders and my peers" Sawol took a moment to gather his thoughts while Merlin just stared at the older man with pity in his eyes.

"I remember the day the druid leaders announced that I wasn't the Emrys of legends. I felt like a disappointment to my people. My whole life had been devoted to mastering every aspect of magic so that I would become the savior for the druids. And then when they announced it, life for everyone else just went on...as if it made no difference to them. And that hurt most of all. I lashed out the only way I knew, with the very thing they had made me into"

"When they took my magic away, it felt like they had taken away who I was. Magic had become so part of my life that without it, I was nothing". At this, Merlin looked down, knowing the feeling of losing your magic while trying to contemplate what it would feel like to lose it for good. "I was nothing and having no-one to go to, no friends to talk to or rely on, no family to comfort me in my distress, I turned to the one thing that, even remotely, made me feel the link I had to my magic and...well the rest is history"

Another moment of tense silence.

"Merlin" the warlock in question looked up at Sawol, only now noticing his worn, tired features. "You who were raised as a lowly peasant, who since a young age knew what it meant to struggle all your life. You, who were taught equality and that all life deserved to be shown kindness - you have an advantage I never, in all my years of study, had"

Merlin cocked his head in confusion and Sawol's mouth twitched upwards in a slight grin, as if the answer was so simple.

"Friends"

"In all my life, I had never wanted or needed a friend to confide in" The older man stared at the chained warlock, his presence making his next words even more profound. "Do not underestimate the power a close friendship has. Not even dark magic can fully undo its powerful bond and the bond you have with Arthur is indeed strong and has been written since the dawn of time"

"So then, how do I...?" Merlin began to ask, the answer almost within his grasp.

Sawol stood up straight, making him look like the all-powerful warlock he once was. His eyes flashed a deep gold, its color contrasting with the darkness of Merlin's subconscious. All of a sudden, the darkness began to dispel leaving a pure white in its wake. A crowd of people formed behind the older man - men and women, old and young, magic and non-magic alike - each bearing one black wound on some part of their body that visibly stood out. The young warlock gasped in understanding and before he could say anything, the older warlock nodded as if reading his mind (which he probably was doing anyway).

"Unlike all of us here, the past were-wyvernsgathered behind me, you have everything you need to break free. For it is not your magic that will release you from your prison but it is your own power, the power you as Merlin possess, that will be your salvation. All you have to do is listen. Listen and you will hear them. Your friends are fighting for you Merlin. Even now, their hearts are all focused on saving you, no matter how great the odds are against them. They would give their lives for you as you have for them"

Merlin closed his eyes. He could see his friends, all of them smiling and all ready to help. And he listened...listened for their silent prayers, listened to their desires to help, listened to their words of encouragement, listened to their powerful words of the heart.

-'Be safe Merlin.'

-'You can do it my boy!'

-'Don't give up Merlin!'

-'We're here for you!'

-'We're not giving up on you!'

-'Be strong Merlin!'

-'I believe in you Merlin!'

He listened and latched on to them, the words becoming a bright light that covered his restraints and began choking the energy out of them. The chains on his wrists began to crack.

"Feel their love Merlin, feel their strength!" Sawol commanded.

-'Fight it Merlin!'

At those ever faithful words, the crowd of past were-wyverns, including Sawol, all raised their hands to the warlock. Without saying a word, their eyes flashed a brilliant white and in what could only be described as an explosion, the manacles that held him down shattered into thousands of black particles.

Picking himself off from the ground, Merlin turned to look at the crowd that had helped him escape, each person sending him an encouraging smile before turning their backs to him and fading away. Sawol was the last and before he was gone, both warlocks, whose names would surely be remembered and marked in the pages of history, shared a knowing look.

"Remember Merlin, there is always hope" he said before completely fading out of existence, forever to finally rest in peace.

"Thank you" the warlock said with a smile. A door appeared in front of him. My way out. With no worries and no fear, he moved and opened its wooden doors.

Never had he seen such a more brilliant light.

*******************Break****************

I enjoyed writing this chapter, although it took me a while to do it. I hope you enjoyed it and the battle continues next chapter. Also, I am sad to say that this story is close to its end. Very close, as in 'two-or-three-more-chapters-left-to-go' close.

I have to give credit to the last episode of Avatar: The Legend of Korra when Sawol tells Merlin the 'we are more open when we are at our lowest' part. If anyone saw the season finale for the series, then they (hopefully) know what I'm referring to.

Please review and tell me what you think. I don't what day I'll specifically update, but it'll be sometime this week. Just stay tuned. :)

Until later,

-STL13