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Chapter 5- Defiance

Gwaine was stunned. His knees felt weak and he was amazing that he still remained standing. Merlin had...Merlin was... No. Impossible. This sorceress was trying to turn him against his friends. He couldn't believe a word this sorceress said. That's what magic did: it lied to you and tricked you and only tried to hurt you as this information was doing to him now. Merlin couldn't possibly have magic. He was Merlin. He wouldn't keep this from them and Gwaine was pretty sure that he wasn't as good at keeping secrets as big as this. He shook his head forcefully.

"Just stop this," He muttered, "Stop all of this. This isn't the way. Let Merlin go."

The sorceress seemed very amused at his reaction and his words. She looked back at the fire and waved her hand over it. The flames instantly burned brighter. Gwaine couldn't help but watch them. They drew his gaze and began to shift before his eyes. At first they grew higher, flickering less as they widened. Smaller flames sprouted near the middle and twisted upwards until they formed a shape. Then another shape formed beside it, slightly smaller than the other. The two flames became more refined and detailed until they took a real form. He caught his breath as he stared at two fire versions of Arthur and Merlin. They were both facing each other swords raised.

"Your friends probably do not have much time left, little knight. I do not think there is much that you can do," She feigned sympathy which made his stomach turn. She was really enjoying this.

"Friends?" He noted.

"Oh yes," She told him, "Both of them, not just the King. Once he has been dealt with, if the other knights do not, I will put an end to dear little Merlin. He will no longer be of any more use after the King is dead. It's a shame really, he would have been great but his destiny will have to end. Unfortunately by my hand."

Gwaine's anger rose. She really did want everyone to suffer. The more, the better. Though Merlin would probably be too distraught and guilty to have much thanks for keeping his life. He wanted to teach this sorceress. To make her suffer the way he knew Merlin was and to make her sorry. To end that evil glint her dark eyes and stop her taunting. He restrained himself from doing anything irrational and curiosity took control.

"Destiny?" He questioned.

The sorceress gave a shocked expression and added sweetly, "Oh, has dear Merlin not told you? I would love to be the one who were to tell you this but I do believe he would much prefer to tell you himself. I could not deny him that privilege."

The images in the fire began to move now, fighting together. They moved smoothly so it was almost like watching the real scene but through a veil of flames. The clash of swords seemed to echo somewhere deep within the cave. He was mesmerised by this scene.

"Oh do sit down, little knight," The sorceress offered.

Gwaine desperately wanted to refuse but he already felt weak and couldn't help himself from sinking slowly to his knees. Was this what was happening now?

"Yes," She said as if in answer to his thoughts, "This is all currently happening as we speak. He has already been under my influence for a long time, he should complete his task soon," She frowned, "I am quite sure that dear Merlin should be further than this. Arthur should be ready to fall but they both seem unaffected."

Gwaine bit his lip in order to prevent himself blurting out that Merlin was fighting back. It would buy him more time if she didn't know and he didn't know if she would make things even worse with this knowledge. He watched the image as his two friends continued to fight. They shifted about all over the fire and were consistent in their efforts. He was glad that he wasn't still at the camp. He didn't know how he could stand and watch this happening before him.

Suddenly one of the figures stumbled and the sorceress smiled to herself until she realised which one of them it was. Merlin had become unbalanced and come to a halt with his sword by his side and Arthur has also lowered his sword to talk to him.

"What is this?" She screeched as she watched the still form of Merlin, and Arthur relaxed and rested, "How is this possible? Why have they stopped?"

Gwaine could not hold himself back anymore.

"Merlin's been fighting back," He blurted out, enjoying the outraged look on the sorceress's face, "He's been fighting. It seems you have underestimated the strength of your abilities. Arthur is no closer to falling than he was when you started all this."

He watched as the flame Arthur walked out of view of the fire and Merlin remained. He wasn't showing much sign of pain but was breathing heavily. Maybe he had adapted to the pain or was getting better at hiding it. The sorceress was beyond angry. She glared at the flames and her eyes glowed gold, such a contrast from the deep black that it was even more threatening. The flames flickered wildly, rising and falling like a creature breathing. She began to mutter in a strange tongue, throwing her words at the fire venomously.

"What are you doing? What's happening?" Gwaine shouted, backing away fearfully from the sorceress. She gave no sign at his words but continued her chanting. This was becoming a habit: being ignored by sorceresses and his friends. She finally threw one last word at the fire, completing the spell, and the flames exploded, smoke curling through the air and the sparks flitting across the cavern. It died back down immediately and revealed the sorceress's face and smug grin which only made her more evil looking.

"I think I may have solved that problem. Come and see, little knight." She beckoned him back towards the fire to look into the scene that was being shown. He edged back over reluctantly. He wanted to run from this place and never return, not approach this dangerous and powerful sorceress but he had to know what she had done. He lowered his gaze to the scene that was being shown.

Nothing had changed from the last time he had seen the image. Merlin stood alone in the fire, as still as he had been before, sword by his side, staring ahead. Suddenly his whole body jolted and he began to shake uncontrollably. He collapsed to the ground and curled into himself. Gwaine couldn't help fall to his knees to get a closer look at his friend in the flames. Merlin's face was contorted in pain and his mouth open in a long silent scream. He was still shaking.

Within seconds, other figures had crowded into the small fire and surrounded Merlin. Arthur was by his side, fear evident in his eyes as he watched his servant on the ground. Gauis was trying to help Merlin, checking him over and trying to stop whatever was causing him this pain but he seemed helpless. The other knights stood around them, slightly shell shocked and unsure what they should be doing. Merlin did not stop. If anything, he seemed to be getting worse.

Gwaine's heart turned to ice and his chest hurt at this sight. This was worse than when Merlin was possessed. This was exactly what he had thought could happen if this sorceress found out that Merlin was resisting. He tore his eyes away and looked at her face to see she was smiling. She was smiling at the pain she was causing all of these people. Anger flared up within him, replacing his worry and fear, anger that he had never felt before and clouded his thoughts. He drew his sword without hesitation.

"That will teach your friend for trying to defy me," She smirked, eyeing the sword with a glint in her eyes.

"Stop it! Just stop it!" He yelled at her. His voice sounded a hundred times louder in the cavern.

She gave a light laugh that sounded cold and old as though it have been decades since it had been used. He raised his sword threateningly but she didn't react.

"You cannot stop me, little knight. There is nothing you can do that can make me stop my plan taking place. One way or another, your friends will die. I will, however, allow you to watch their final moments."

Gwaine looked back at the fire again. Arthur was getting more agitated and Gauis was panicked as he searched for some sort of cure. The other knights were all talking at once. And Merlin...Merlin was getting even worse. He looked like he was still screaming and his figure in the flames had begun to flicker in and out unlike the other people. He was fading. What did that mean in the real world? What was happening to Merlin? He wanted to be there for his friend. He had to do something. He couldn't just allow this to happen...but he was. There was nothing he could do. Here he was with the sorceress that was causing all this and he could not stop her. He could not stop this.

And now he was watching his closest friend die...