It felt odd standing outside the walls of Camelot as intruders, invaders trying to sneak an army into the castle rather than walking through the welcoming front gate. Merlin was already dreaming of a good long sleep in his very comfy bed.

The main army was still hidden in the tree's, well out of sight of the sentries currently strolling across the guard towers. The plan was simple enough, Leon and Percival would make their way to the dungeons in an effort to find and free those who were undoubtedly taken captive. Arthur and Merlin would make their way to the throne room to find Morgana while a few other choice knights watched their back and opened the gates so that the rest of their invading force could enter the city. Tristan and Isolde had insisted on coming wiht the princes as back up.

They were to enter through an old forgotten tunnel leading into the dungeons from the forest outside, making sure to leave it open so another wave of knights and brave peasants could invade the castle and begin the attack on the inside.

Initially the invasion was easy, sneaking through the tunnel into the deeper part of the dungeons was as simple as snapping their fingers but soon the fait glow of torches began to appear beyond them. The guards and cells were not far now. Percival and Leon made their move, successfully distracting the guards and allowing the royals to slip into the main castle and hide behind the tapestries adorning the walls. Merlin made a note to remember to remove them when Arthur was back on the throne.

"Morgana will be in the throne room." Arthur informed them, Merlin agreed.

"You two go first, we'll watch your backs." Isolde ensured them.

They raced for the throne room but much to their surprise they never made it there, halfway to the room Morgana appeared in the hall. The warning bells were ringing and Merlin could hear the yells of battle commencing within the castle courtyard. They were in!

"I should of finished you both off when I had the chance." She growled, "Guards!"

Men dressed in black rounded the corner and soon swords were clashing, Morgana turned to flee, or perhaps she simply wanted to aid her army with her magic but one things for sure, Merlin wasn't letting her out of his sight.

"I'll go after her!" He yelled, dodging a sword to the shoulder and leaving the men to Arthur, Tristan and Isolde.

They would follow soon those men were no match for his brother that was for sure. Merlin took off after Morgana, chasing her all the way to the castle courtyard where the peak of the battle was raging. Their knights had made it into the castle all right, even some peasants were fighting for their city, Merlin would make sure to thank those who lived, if they lived. If they lived, he thought darkly.

"Morgana!" He yelled making her stop on the steps and glare at him.

"We're giving you one chance." Arthur spoke up as he appeared in the doorway, "Leave now and never come back."

"Never," She growled, "I know perfectly well how you both feel about me and my kind, I am the rightful heir to this thrown!"

"So be it." Arthur sighed though the entire courtyard heard as the battle has ceased in favour of watching the royal family argue.

"You think you can defeat me with your little sword Arthur?" She sneered, "You cannot even get close to me! Breféræ!"

A long thin bolt of energy shot towards the group, but not to either of the brothers but Isolde. She gave a scream as the bolt hi her in the shoulder with a horrifying sizzle of flesh, Morgana laughed.

"You bitch!" Tristan yelled, gathering his wife up in his arms.

Merlin didn't even think about it.

"Astrice!" He bellowed raising one hand and knocking Morgana back.

You could hear a pin drop.

"How did you do that?" She screamed, "You have magic!"

"Thank you for stating the obvious Morgana." Arthur replied coldly, "Merlin here has been defending this land, this kingdom with his magic for years now. I've known, I've always known."

"Then why did you forsake me?" She yelled.

"We tried to help you." Merlin replied, "You were too far gone."

"Forbernnan!" She cast, the fire flew toward them and was immediately deflected by Merlin. The two were still locked in battle, making their way through the courtyard, Morgana casting spell after spell and Merlin deflecting each and ever one with apparent ease.

Suddenly Morgana changed her tactic and hurled one of her spells toward the crowed, specifically the knights, Merlin quickly conjured a shield of strange translucent blue light. The spell dissipated on contact. Grinning Morgana sent spells in every direction, even her own men, Merlin began conjuring the shield over everybody. The spell itself was not difficult but over such a large scale, constantly was beginning to take it's toll, especially as he was still dodging and dissipating attacks to his own person.

Finally it became too much for the prince and one of Morgana's fire balls hit home sending him flying onto his back heavily against the stone pavement.

"Merlin!"

He could hear Arthur calling to him from the other side of his barrier. He got to his feet before the next blow could be delivered.

"What's wrong little prince?" Morgana taunted, "Can;t throw a blow of your own? Can you only defend?"

Another stream of fire, though this one was constant, wrapping itself around the prince until his vision was blank save for the fire if it constricted he'd been burnt to death. Palms out flat at his side he held it back but it was getting too difficult. The heat was making him sweat as well as trying to concentrate on keeping his shield up it was becoming too much, even for Merlin.

I can't do it…

No! I didn't come all this way to loose here!

I'm Emrys, I'm the most powerful sorcerer to ever live. I can win!

I am Emrys!

With a yell Merlin dissipated the fire and sent a bolt of golden energy toward Morgana. The look of shock lasted only seconds as she dodged, Merlin sent more and more bolts toward Morgana and it was soon apparent that she was becoming overwhelmed.

With a sneer she attacked his shield once more, it had weakened now that his focus wa son the offensive. A section of it shattered under the assault and then Arthur was in the firing line.

Things happened quickly, Merlin tried to get the shield up in time but was too slow, Morgana fired a large ball of electricity toward the king and then there was a large roar, a black blur intercepted the attack and knocked Morgana to the ground.

"Freya!"

The baset was lying on the ground unmoving. Temporarily Merlin forgot Morgana and dove to the ground by Freya's feline head. She mewed weakly nuzzling into the princes knee and looking up at Merlin with shining blue eyes.

"I am so sorry." Merlin whispered, "But thank you."

Freya rumbled giving a weak sort of smile, before she stilled and closed her eyes. He was forgiven.

The prince clenched his fists. He was so sick of loosing people he cared about.

The sound of movement hit his ears and he turned suddenly still on his knees. Morgana was attempting to stand, Freya had knocked her hard with her paw, she was bleeding from where the claws had dug into her torso, it was a miracle she was alive at all.

She was still angry, her eyes filled with rage

The Morgana he wanted to save was gone.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way." He yelled raising his hand, me made sure the magic stuck true, it was painless for her.

Morgana dropped and Merlin suddenly felt very tired and realised he'd not only been casting powerful magic for this entire battle, but he'd been maintaining a very large shield around the people within the city so that they wouldn't be hit with the aftershocks. He dropped it and the silence was deafening.

It was a good thing Merlin was still on his knees by Freya's body so that when he fell he didn't hit the ground so hard. He was so tried, forget the bed he was going to sleep here.

The last thing he heard was Arthur's voice, ordering the people to step back.

The battle is over! And this story is nearing it's end.