A/N – Hello! We're nearing the end of the story now, so I hope you enjoy the last few chapters!
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives."
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
A small vole snuffled its way through a clump of fallen leaves, in search of insects. Its grey pelt rippled as tiny legs pushed their way through the mud.
A loud thundering sound started in the distance.
It raised its head, then scurried away into the undergrowth as a huge creature - with another creature atop it - galloped past.
After a few minutes, it went back to finding insects.
Ignitrus was half standing up in the saddle, screaming at the horse to go faster. Froth was dripping from the crazed animal's mouth as it galloped at full speed. There was something about Ignitrus that terrified it, but the mare wasn't sure what– was it the smell? Surely all humans smelled the same?
A branch whipped across Ignitrus' face, leaving a thin welt. He gritted his teeth and snarled. His horse stumbled slightly but managed to right itself before it flung him to the ground. Lucky it didn't, or I'd have killed it, he thought.
He would make it to the castle before them. He would.
Arthur leaned forward, willing his horse to go faster. Leon and Percival were the strongest riders and were leading the group, with Gwaine bringing up the rear in case anyone was following them. It was unlikely, but Arthur wanted to be sure.
They were nearly in Camelot. Leon came up beside him and yelled over the thunder of hooves hitting the ground.
"Who do you think Ignitrus will target first?"
"I don't know," Arthur yelled back. "Who gave him most cause to kill them?"
"Maybe Gaius? He's the only one left in the castle who he knows well enough." Leon ducked down to avoid a low-hanging branch.
"Okay. We'll split up. Merlin and I will go to Gaius' chambers, and the rest search the castle. Give the order."
As Leon started to shout to the other riders, Arthur noticed that they were nearing the entrance to the castle. He looked over at Merlin and remarked, "Merlin, you might have to be ready to lift the portcullis again."
"Don't worry sire, already on it." Merlin grinned. Arthur recognised it as the smile Merlin showed when he was trying to conceal his nervousness.
When they cleared the trees, Arthur could see that the portcullis was already lifted. He looked over at Merlin enquiringly, who shook his head. Suspicious.
They cantered through the portcullis onto the cobbles, dismounting and drawing swords.
"You know what to do!" Arthur commanded. "Go!"
Merlin was the first up the staircase and into the open doors of the castle.
"He wants us to find him," he called down to Arthur.
"And we want us to find him." Arthur replied, his voice a little strained as he caught his breath after the sprint into the castle.
They burst through the door into Gaius' chambers and gasped.
Morgana looked up at them.
"Oh, hello. I thought you'd forgotten about me."
She was standing with Ignitrus kneeling before her at sword point.
"But... how did you get out of the cells?" Merlin asked.
"For God's sake, Merlin. I'm about to kill you both and all you can say is 'how did you get out of the cells?' " She put on a high-pitched, slow voice, as if telling a story to young children.
"Ignitrus and I... we have a little secret that we'd like to share with you, wouldn't we Ignitrus?" She moved the sword at his throat up and down, forcing him to nod. It was then that Merlin noticed the shining amulet hanging from her neck. He'd noticed it before, somewhere...
Morgana had noticed him looking.
"You like it, do you? Well, that's what the secret is all about. Ignitrus and I are siblings. He tried to murder me and left me here alone, but siblings nonetheless. I was born with magic, he without. But we both have one thing in common. We're wargs."
"Wargs?" Arthur asked.
"Werewolves, wargs, wolf-men. Half man, half wolf. We were bitten as children. When my father realised what we were, he trapped our wolf forms in this amulet. I adapted quickly to being in one form, being only a few years old. Ignitrus, however, was older and had grown more used to his other body. He went mad. Father sent him away so that he didn't ruin our reputation as a family. In fact, when I saw him again a few months ago I didn't recognise him. Not until he walked away from me, having escaped from the cells, and laughed. I would recognise that laugh anywhere. But now I am no longer imprisoned. I am free." She smiled down at Ignitrus, who narrowed his eyes at her.
Ignitrus spoke now. "However, there is only one amulet, and it must be worn around the neck to be effective, so it can't be shared."
"And it's mine." Morgana replied. "I think it's time that I show you my other form."
leaping forward, Arthur stabbed her in the stomach with his sword. She laughed at him and pulled out the blade.
No, Arthur. That sort of sword won't work, Merlin thought.
As she laughed, Merlin saw with horror that her mouth was growing wider and wider. Her eyes went black and her teeth began to sharpen into points. A low moaning noise spilled from her jaws, which were lengthening to form a wolf's snout.
The sword dropped from her hand as her skin turned grey and she started to shiver.
Arthur ran towards her and started to punch her with his bare fists. Morgana simply grabbed him by the throat and lifted him into the air.
Heart beating fast, Merlin formed a fireball in his hand and aimed at her chest, but she moved Arthur in front of her so he didn't have a clear shot. Ignitrus, now unguarded, lunged for the amulet but was thrown back into the wall by her other arm.
Struggling, Arthur began to gasp as his air was cut off. He kicked at Morgana's face, landing a well aimed one to her still-transforming nose.
She dropped him at her feet, where he gasped and wheezed as air flowed back into his starved lungs. That was when she turned on Merlin.
Lots of action for you there! Now you finally know what the amulet is for.
I should probably tell you that werewolves are one of my biggest fears, so writing the transformation scene had me going downstairs with a cricket bat to check that the noise I heard wasn't Morgana trying to break in (it was my cat, by the way).
See you next Tuesday!