A/N: Sooo... here's the latest chapter. Soooooo sorry it's been a couple of weeks in coming. First I had all of my exams which are now thankfully OVER! After that I thought I'd have all my study leave just to write write write but...my dad was in hospital so I had to constantly visit him, and then when he got out I had loads to do coz he couldn't do anything for himself. THEN I had rehearsals for my dancing show, then I was staying at my grans who doesn't have internet, then I had my actual shows, then I had writers block. :( Plus, we're in the middle of a heatwave at the mo and I can't concentrate in the heat. Anything above 20 degrees celsius frazzles me and my poor Scottish constitution. :( Bring back the blizzards!
Anyways...enjoy :D
Chapter 15- To Fight or not to Fight?
Morgana and Merlin stepped out into the midday sun which illuminated the centre of the village, and the three Elders who stood there facing the crowd. The villagers gave nothing away, their faces were grave and decidedly resolute.
Merlin hesitated for a moment, as all eyes turned to him. He immediately felt embarrassed, and the full weight of what he was asking these people to do suddenly crashed down on him. He was asking them to leave their homes, their families, the relative safety of the village, to take up arms alongside their worst enemy, where all hope of survival seemed faint.
How could he ask them to give up so much? Why should they trust him that this was the right thing to do? Merlin knew in his heart that this was the right thing for himself at least, but was it the right thing for the Druids? He had convinced himself that this was the right course for all of them, but he hadn't really stopped to consider if it really was in their own best interests.
All his self-doubts were allayed however, when Morgana drew closer to him, gave his now trembling hand a reassuring squeeze and whispered to him:
"Do not doubt yourself Merlin. You gave them a choice, now it is time to find out what that is."
Merlin took a deep breath, nodded and tried to stride towards them as confidently as he could, without it coming off as a swagger.
Brim, smiled at him, and gestured for them both to stand alongside the Elders and look out into the crowd. But Merlin was not fooled by Brim's smile, it did not completely reach his eyes, and his face appeared wearied and anxious. What terrible toll was this war going to take on all of them?
Fyrmest raised his hand, and those who had been whispering to one another fell silent immediately.
This was it.
"You have heard our proposal. We must either throw aside our differences and fight for the common good side by side with our enemies, against those who seek only death and destruction, or else stay here, not interfering, in safety, regardless of whatever consequences arise. You must either choose between blissful ignorance, and high-standing principles which are firm and unyielding, or risk death and ruin, in the pursuit of a better future for us all, old and young. Choose now."
The Druids remained silent.
Brim stepped forward:
" As your High Priest, I ask all of you of the Water discipline, will you fight?"
The "Water" Druids stepped forward and with a piece of simple magic a water orb was suspended in the sir in front of them, clear at first. Then, they began to change colour. Most turned red, a handful green.
Merlin was lost. He turned to Morgana, whose eyes were lit with hope. She noted his confusion and whispered hurriedly:
"This is the Druid method on voting on external affairs. Green means peace, red, war."
Merlin whirled around; red far outnumbered the green. Did that mean...
Brim nodded, his face grave, added his own red light to the air, and then with a flourish all of the orbs vanished.
"The Water discipline has chosen to fight."
Fyrmest acknowledged this with a sad look in his eyes, before turning to Lyft.
Lyft then repeated the ritual words:
"As your High Priest, I ask all of you of the Air discipline, will you fight?"
Several of the Druids, conjured up a small mass of whirling wind in their palms, which spiralled downwards. These too changed colour. Many turned red, but a significant number went green; almost half.
Merlin's hopes were dampened a little.
Lyft surveyed those Druids, silently counting them, then conjured his own wind. It stayed clear for a long moment, indecision etched on his face, before it reluctantly turned red, and all of the votes were vanished.
"By a small margin, the Air discipline has chosen to fight."
Merlin's hopes raised again slightly, many of the Air Druids however were shaking their heads.
Fyrmest then spoke again.
"As the High Priest for the Fire discipline had abandoned us to be an aggressor of Camelot, I hereby nominate his apprentice Morgana, as temporary High Priestess of Fire.
Morgana started in shock, her eyes wide, and she clutched Merlin's arm tightly.
"Is he mad?" She whispered to him in a trembling voice. Some of the Druids looked angry at this announcement, however many were smiling in encouragement and approval.
Fyrmest smiled gently at her.
"You have proven without a doubt that you are more than capable of leading these people Morgana. You underestimate the great leadership you possess, these people will follow you. I have every confidence in you."
"But-but...I'm not powerful enough, I can barely use my own magic."
Fyrmest looked down at her fondly.
"Our strength as a leader is not based on the might of your arm or of your magic, but by the strength of our heart, our compassion, wisdom and integrity. You possess all of these qualities Morgana, you severely underestimate yourself. Do not be afraid of greatness, those who do not seek it are often the most deserving."
Morgana, opened her mouth as if to say something, then stopped her herself, and stared down at her feet.
Merlin had at first felt great shock at Fyrmest's announcement, he had never thought of Morgana being a leader, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. She was always the one who took charge of the situation, people admired her, respected her. The nobleness in which she carried herself, her regal air, there was much to be idolised. Merlin vividly remembered the fondness the people of Camelot had had for their Lady, and the general grief when they heard of her disappearance. Yes...she would be a good leader.
Morgana remained silent for a few more moments, biting her lip as she contemplated the ground. Then she suddenly looked up, a fierceness and determination in her eyes. The worried young girl had disappeared, and a fierce warrior queen had taken her place.
"I accept the temporary leadership Fyrmest," she said, slightly bowing to him, before turning to face the gathered Druids, who were now in awe of her sudden transformation. Those who had doubted no longer did.
"As your temporary High Priestess, I ask all of you of the Fire discipline, will you fight?"
The Fire Druids broke into large grins, as each of them conjured a small flame in their palm. All of them were red.
Morgana smiled, but faltered when she obviously realised she couldn't conjure her own flame. However, she moved past this and addressed Fyrmest.
"The Fire discipline had chosen overwhelmingly to fight."
Fyrmest acknowledged this and wearily addressed his own Druids. Something about his resigned manner told Merlin he was not expecting a similar response from the Earth Druids.
"As your High Priest, I ask those of you of the Earth discipline, will you fight?"
Small flowers erupted from the palms of the Earth Druids. Almost all of them were green.
Fyrmest nodded.
"I expected as much."
He conjured a small red flower in his own hand.
"The Earth discipline had chosen not to fight."
He regarded them all for a few moments.
"I understand your desire for peace, I share it also. Those of the Earth discipline tend to show a desire for peace and tranquillity, and wish for stability in your lives. You are as unwilling to move as the great trees, who are so firmly rooted into the ground they do not yield for anything. However, even the ones of you with the deepest roots, can be felled. Stability can make you weak, you cannot adapt, you are stuck in one place for eternity. I only ask that some of you may extend a few roots elsewhere, it will only add to your strength, allow your influence to grow elsewhere. Diversity in a woodland is greatly desirable for all trees to survive. However, I know earth is as immovable as mountains. I will not force you. You have made your decision."
Fyrmest stepped back, and surveyed those around him. He again had a sad look in his eyes.
"I am gladdened so many of you wish to fight for what is good and right. We may be defeated, but our resistance will not be forgotten. Everything must come to an end at some time. Nothing can last forever."
He paced up and down,obviously thinking furiously.
"I know many of you do not wish to physically fight. This is understandable, I detest violence myself. But every little thing can help, every droplet of water makes a river. Please organise yourselves whilst I discuss with the Elders and Emrys. Decide which of you will be part of our army, which of you will be Healers, messengers, those to be in charge of provisions, magical shields and so forth. Any skill which you have and feel will be useful is of great value, no matter if you are merely strong to bear the injured, sharp-eyed to be a Scout, or a smith to forge weapons. Please do not hold back. I nominate Gēoc to be in charge of organising you all. At sunset, we set off for Camelot."
A heavy silence hung in the air after this statement. The grim resolution of the villagers, the acknowledgement of encroaching death struck hard with Merlin. He hoped fervently that they would succeed in saving Camelot, he could not face the guilt of knowing it had been on his advice they all marched to their deaths.
The Druids retreated and started forming into groups under the guidance of Gēoc, whilst Merlin, Morgana and the Elders made towards the house which served as the Council House.
When inside, Fyrmest looked gravely at them all.
"It is now that our doom will be decided. The Ancient Prophecies all stated Emrys would bring with him a great period of change, and the defining battle of our age. We are now to discover what the outcome shall be."
No one made any reply to this, they all felt the seriousness of the situation.
After a few moments of silent contemplation, Fyrmest started to speak, talked of battle techniques, plans, provisions and raids. Merlin tried to pay attention, but soon found his concentration slipping, the conversation reminded him forcibly of all the Battle Councils Uther and Arthur had held for hours and hours on end, whilst Merlin had stood in the corner bored out of his wits. Morgana, however did not slip, she listened fervently, drinking in every word and contributing her own suggestions. He supposed she must be more used to it, being the daughter of a Knight and growing up as Uther's ward in the castle.
Merlin had always hated violence. There had never been any in Ealdor. People were too preoccupied with getting through the day, providing for their families and basically just staying alive, there was no call for fighting. There was too much mutual respect for that. That was one thing that had shocked him about Camelot, the wanton lack of civilities to each other, the constant fighting.
Camelot had been so different. People were always fighting, whether it was farmers outside the local tavern, or Knights in the arena, violence was common place. Merlin had never believed the things human beings could do to each other, even less so for magic. He could never contemplate using magic for evil.
And here he was, plotting a full-scale magical war alongside the armies of Camelot. Whatever had happened to Merlin? When had Emrys taken over?
He felt his magic now, stronger than ever. He hadn't expected it to return for a long time, but he was now almost back to his former strength. He could feel it pulsing through his veins, invigorating him. It was a familiar presence, comforting him, reassuring him, though he wasn't sure why. If he did not have this magic in the first place, this destiny and war would not be upon him now.
Though even as he thought that, he dismissed the idea. He wouldn't be who he was without magic, it made him, completed him. He could not imagine being parted from it, even the few hours when it had been almost gone had been painful. No...this destiny had always been for him. He had to trust that some higher power had entrusted him with this, because Merlin, and Merlin alone could accomplish it. That thought gave him strength.
The War Council concluded, without Merlin even noticing, until Morgana jerked him up from his bench and dragged him outside. They walked towards the Druids, who were now divided into specific groups whilst Morgana irritably filled him in on the general ideas of the meeting.
Merlin saw a group of Druids, headed by Hālian, the village Healer. This group was by far the largest. Most of the Druids preferred to clean up the mess left by Byrne and his followers than oppose them themselves. Merlin was grateful for this. Druids healers were renowned for their abilities, they almost never lost a patient. And Merlin had a bad feeling that most of them would be sorely needed before this war was over.
He also saw a group of younger Druids, many of them not more than children, it seemed they did not want to be left out of the fight. Merlin saw this with indignation; what were they thinking, allowing children to fight? One of those in the group was Halwende, far too young in Merlin's opinion. Hal saw him, widened his eyes and gave him a glowing grin and waved enthusiastically at him. Merlin was about to storm over there and forcibly remove him from any method of fighting when he was stopped by an older Druid.
"Emrys, they are entitled to do what they can for the cause, just as much as you or I."
"But they're children!" Merlin exclaimed angrily. "They're too young!"
The Druid shook her head.
"Worth is not measured in age here. They are to be messengers, children are useful for that sort of thing, can find their way to places no adult would be able to. Although we can communicate with our minds, the armies of Camelot cannot, and we have not time enough to teach them. The children can relay messages we send them through our minds to commanders and defenders in Camelot. You need not worry, they can all sustain a simple shield around them, they are not completely defenceless."
Merlin disagreed strongly, but knew there was no point in arguing. He did see their usefulness, but at the same time could not condone sending mere children into a battle zone. If anything were to happen to them...if anything were to happen to Hal, practically the only friend he had in the village...
He turned away reluctantly, there would be time later to argue his point. Most other groups were made up of scouts, former smiths (though out of practise, as weapons were not usually required by Druids), bearers, and those with particularly strong defensive magic, to be used as a shield for their fighters.
However, it was the last group which held Merlin's attention the most. The warriors themselves.
They stood apart from everyone else and looked so different to usual, Merlin could not at first distinguish them as the formerly modest, peace-loving Druids.
They looked fierce, wild and brutal, such a converse was incredible. The men wore no shirts, and the exposed flesh was daubed with a blue dye and many symbols had been drawn onto their body, magical symbols, for protection, and for luck in battle. Many of the men had appeared to have put lime into their hair, which bleached it a blonde colour, and turned their hair stiff, which made them appear most definitely alarming. Some of the women had also chosen to fight, they looked almost as fierce as the men, excepting they were fully clothed with a primitive leather armour, covering most of their bodies, which were also covered in symbols. Most of the warriors held only wooden swords, and wooden shields, roughly hewn in the space of the last half and hour, with only a few of the Druids with swords, and even fewer with any chain mail. Merlin didn't see this as much of a problem however, Cendred's armies would probably run off in fear at the sight of them.
He stood there watching them, until he sensed Morgana approaching, after conversing with Fyrmest.
She looked over the warriors with an unreadable expression.
"You know, for a peaceful people, it's surprising how violent we can actually turn out to be. We're like caged animals in that respect."
Merlin nodded in agreement. The sight of the warriors made him feel sick to the stomach. He watched her for a few moments, an idea suddenly striking him.
"Hey, you're High Priestess now, you shouldn't be talking aloud!"
Morgana cast him a look clearly showing him she was not at all amused and Merlin fell silent, barely suppressing a laugh. He observed her bite her lip and take a deep breath.
Merlin ceased laughing.
"You'll be great you know. People will follow you Morgana. They have faith in you, regardless of the fact you can't do magic properly."
Morgana looked at him gratefully, but said nothing.
After a while, Fyrmest came up to them, and also watched the preparations of the warriors. His face was expressionless, it appeared he had resigned himself to the fact the battle must be fought.
"Many of those there, I have known since childhood. I will be sorry to lose any of them. As a rule, Druids do not fear death, we do not believe the spirit perishes alongside the body, but that is no excuse for recklessness, sometimes the living need those who would otherwise choose to pass on."
He now observed them more carefully.
"Almost all of them from the Fire discipline...they were always the most willing to fight, the most willing to take a stand. You will be joining them I take it Morgana?"
Morgana nodded.
"I have experience with sword craft. I can be of use, teaching those who have never fought before."
"Teach them well Morgana, teach them that violence is not always the answer. Sometimes, compassion and mercy are what is needed in battle.
Fyrmest spoke heavily, and walked off. Merlin and Morgana watched him leave and turn back to the leaders of each of the smaller groups, when something caught Merlin's eye. A pale face seemed to be watching him from the forest.
He pulled on Morgana's arm and pointed.
"Do you see that?"
Morgana cast around for a moment or two, before fear overtook her.
"Who can it be? Who could possibly penetrate our defences?"
"Let's find out shall we?" Merlin strode towards the forest boundary. Morgana hesitated only for a moment, before following.
As Merlin approached the forest, the figure slowly retreated, drawing him deeper into the darkness provided by the trees.
Merlin pursued him, stepping carefully over dead branches and logs, not wanting to make a fool of himself in front of this mysterious stranger.
The figure came to a stop in a small clearing, as did Merlin and Morgana.
"Who are you?" Merlin asked the shadowy figure, who stood in the gloom cast by an old yew tree.
The figure stepped out, and Mordred's pale face came into view.
Merlin froze, he had not forgotten the last time they had met, and was immediately preparing for an attack, when Mordred spoke.
"You need not fear Emrys, I have not come to take my revenge, merely to repay the life debt I owe you."
Life debt? Merlin supposed he meant when he had saved Mordred back in Camelot, though why Mordred was now choosing to repay it now was a mystery. Morgana seemed just as confused.
"I have not forgotten your betrayal of me, so the repayment has been lessened. Whether this outcome will be to your liking I do not know."
Merlin was seriously beginning to be creeped out by Mordred, how could such a young boy, harbour such resentment, how could he speak with the voice and authority of an adult? Something was weird about this boy. Chills ran down Merlin's spine every time he spoke.
"What exactly is it you are going to do?"
Mordred smiled.
"It is something I have already done."
Merlin really did not like this. What could make Mordred look so smug and happy at repaying his debt?
"What have you done?"
"I have shown Arthur the real you, Emrys. I have shown him all of your memories of Camelot, all that you have done for him and Camelot, the good and the bad. He now understands a great deal more. That is my repayment, I have shown your friend the very depths of your character, solved all of his worries and fears."
Merlin was horrified when he thought of all the things Mordred could have shown Arthur, the dragon, poisoning Morgana, hiding Freya...What on earth would Arthur think of him? He tried to think about the positive side, Arthur now fully knew why Merlin had done what he had, he knew everything, there could be no more doubts. But that was hard to remember when he considered Arthur's shock and horror at some of Merlin's past deeds.
Trying to stay calm, he asked:
"And what was his reaction?"
Mordred only smiled once more.
"That, he refused to say."
Maybe all hope was not lost.
Mordred then dropped his smile, and looked at Merlin with a dangerous look in his eye.
"This is the last time we shall meet peacefully Emrys. The next time, I will not be so kind. You have allied yourself with my enemy, and for that, you also are my enemy."
And with that, he vanished.
Merlin stood rooted to the spot for a few moments, before Morgana pulled him out of his reverie.
"What will you do now?"
Merlin turned to face her.
"I must go to Arthur."
"But will he forgive you? You know as well as I what he must have seen."
"Yes, but still, I have to. Everything must be resolved between us. Either peacefully, or not. I can't bear this estrangement any longer. I must go to him, I have to know."
Morgana regarded him carefully, then nodded.
"Of course. How will you find him?"
Merlin smiled mischievously at her.
"The same way I always find Arthur. We're connected you know, I can always sense him, when he's in danger, and when he's not. It's not hard. You can't be too distant from the one you're destined to protect."
He thought for a moment.
"I have to use a transportation spell again."
Morgana nodded and came closer to him.
"I understand."
"No, Morgana. I'll do it myself this time. Not that I don't trust you..it's just that...well, I don't trust you. I mean, I don't trust you not to overexert yourself again. I've gotten most of my magic back now, I can manage."
Morgana looked worried, but consented.
Merlin smiled at her.
"Wish me luck, I'll need it with Arthur, particularly with Arthur and his sword."
He summoned his magic and spoke the incantation.
"Lyft brucan mec animan hwaer ic willa beon hal!"
His eyes flashed golden, as he was gone.
Arthur made his way through the trees, not for one second forgetting the decision in his mind. Only one thought ran through his brain.
"I have to find Merlin."
Only once he saw him, could he finally resolve all of the difficulties and torment of the last few weeks, only a conversation with Merlin could finally lay all that to rest.
Now Arthur knew the truth. He knew the good and bad sides of Merlin, and he knew his reaction, he knew which Merlin he believed, the one he had to see, to question for himself.
Mordred's spell had made everything clear, there was no doubting now.
He continued his way through the forest, not knowing where he was going, half-expecting Mordred to pounce on him from behind. He had to get to Merlin.
Then suddenly, a great wind came rushing through the forest, branches flailed violently, dead leaves whirled around him. Arthur silently cursed the wind, it always had to make things more difficult. Then it hit him: this was no ordinary wind.
He paused, and saw a light appear momentarily behind a huge tree.
He readied himself, took a few deep breaths, gathered his courage, and stepped out from behind the tree.
Merlin was there, waiting for him.
Now Arthur finally knew what he thought of him.
A/N: I know I'm mean for not telling you Arthur's decision from the last chapter but...hehe
Although I can confirm the next chapter will have a huge chunk dedicated to them both. Hmmm...will it be a confrontation or a reconciliation...not giving anything away! So review and get me to a hundred reviews and I'll tell you!
And btw, huge thanks to FireChildSlytherin5 for all the Druid/Celtic info in this chap. I've tried to use as much as possible while still keeping within my original ideas so...thank you! :D