renessaincbooklover108- I think Merlin may have made a good decision. Now we just need Morgana to be less of a stubborn witch and accept Merlin.
Junior Woofles- Leon survived to the very end as well.
In the horizen, the Saxons could see Annis's and Arthur's small armies marching towards the citadel, with an unbelievable amount of audacity. The Saxons sneered at the size of the Camelot-Caerleon army; it was an eighth of a size of their army. The Saxon general in Camelot had not received any messages from King Gremian or Alexander recently. Being highly malicious, the general couldn't wait to get back onto the battlefield commanding the massive Saxon army. He wondered if King Gremian would mind him taking his army out onto the battlefield and thrashing the tiny army. Surely the king wouldn't- the feeble army was going to attack them anyway. Finally, the conflicted general went outside to deliver the important message to the Saxon soldiers. When the soldiers heard that they were going to fight a tiny army, jeers and war cries erupted from around two-thirds of the Saxon soldiers. The other warriors skulked off to put on their armour. Many of them were terrified of battle or just simply couldn't be bothered to go out and fight.
The general was fairly clever and decided to leave a quarter of his army in the citadel. Even by leaving a quarter of his Saxon army behind, the Saxon army would still outnumber the Camelot-Caerleon army one to ten. It would be too easy for the Saxons to win, or so the general thought. Although the Saxon army was ten times the size of the other army, the Camelot-Caerleon army was better disciplined and equipped. It would been more even then the Saxon general could hope to imagine.
As he fastened on his gauntlets, the Saxon general felt anurge to go outside and fight Arthur and Annis's army single-handedly. Being patient, irked the general although he knew that the Saxon soldiers were getting ready as quickly as they could.
It took a total of three hours for the Saxon army to assemble and prepare themselves for battle. The Saxon general expected the Camelot-Caerleon to stride right up to the gates of Camelot but instead the army had ceased moving. It was as if they were challenging the Saxons. Such a small and feeble army could not hope to win a battle. They would not be able to win a fight and certainly not a battle. The courage that the Caerleon-Camelot army had gave the general an uncomfortable uneasiness.
...
"We are never going to be able to win this Arthur," Merlin muttered. Arthur turned round on his horse to look at his friend's sunken face. The pair were on the front lines of the Camelot-Caerleon army and could see the massive Saxon army marching towards them.
"Is there nothing you can do?" the king desperately asked the warlock. Shrugging, Merlin thought with all his might. No plan immediately came to the warlock but he was determined to think of one.
"I will try," Merlin confirmed. "But not even a sorcerer of my power can defeat tens of thousands of warriors. That Saxon army looks formidable." Arthur nodded. The king understood Merlin. He didn't want to but he did. At least Arthur knew that he would go down fighting for his people. For Arthur, there was no greater glory than dying, whilst fighting for what was right. If it happened that he died today, then so be it.
The Saxon army was approaching alarmingly fast and made Merlin apprehensive. He had still not thought of a plan to save everybody from the Saxons' wrath. Then, suddenly, it became clear in Merlin's mind. A plan hatched in a matter of seconds. Then, the next minute, the warlock was muttering: "O drakon, fthengomai au se kalon su katerkheo deuro!"
"What are you doing?" Arthur inquired, noticing that Merlin was speaking incoherent nonsense. Although it was incoherent nonsense to Arthur, the young king recognised magic when he saw it.
"Wait and see," Merlin knowledgeably smiled. "I just hope it works." Tightening his reins, Arthur bemusedly kept a close on Merlin. His friend seemed to be acting rather peculiar. Every minute, the warlock would glance hastily up at the sky as if he expected something to come shooting out. Nothing did. Arthur began to lose hope as he noticed the army was in cross bow range. The young King ordered his and Annis's archers to fire at the Saxons. On Arthur's command, a couple of hundred were fired at the Saxons. Around a hundred Saxons fell, although, some of them just pulled the arrow out of their flesh and clambered back up. When the archers were reloading their bows, Arthur's war horse pricked up its ears and reared. Fortunately, Arthur was used to horses rearing and managed to keep his seat. His war horse never reared in battle making Arthur suspicious of what had startled it. Having a good look around him, for something that could have spooked his his horse, Arthur noticed Merlin staring into the sky. Arthur followed his servant's gaze to see a bird like figure swooping down at them. As it glided closer, Arthur realised that it was too large to be a bird of any sort. In fact Arthur could only come to one conclusion of what it could be-
"Yes, it's a dragon," Merlin confirmed. "He will help us like be did with the giant. Your army will be terrified of him. Reassure your army or they will surely start to rout." It took Arthur a few seconds to get over Merlin summoning a dragon. After he did, he followed Merlin's advice with haste.
"HOLD YOUR STANCE!" Arthur roared to his troops. "IF WE DON'T PROVOKE THE DRAGON, WE WILL NOT GET ATTACKED!" The majority of troops looked like they didn't believe a word that Arthur said but they still courageously held their position. They watched the dragon soar past them and attack the Saxons. The brutal beast hovered in the air beside the Saxon army. Flames erupted out Kilgharrah's mouth burning Saxons alive. Landing right in the middle of the Saxon army, Kilgharrah crushed a few Saxon soldiers and then began to swipe some with his claws. He really was a useful ally for Merlin and Arthur to have.
"We will still have to fight the army in the citadel," Merlin pointedly told Arthur. "Kilgharrah is getting old and I do not want to pressure him too much by asking him to defeat this massive army and smaller one in the citadel."
"No..." Arthur stammered. "Y-Your father w-was Balinor." He said it as more of a statement than a question but Merlin still solemnly nodded. A sad pang hit Merlin every time his father was mentioned. The warlock still had the wooden dragon that his father had carved for him. It was wrapped in silk and hidden under a loose floorboard in his chambers. Merlin hoped it was still there and would probably curse anyone who had touched it.
"Yes my father was Balinor," Merlin sighed closing his eyes. He just managed to vaguely remember what his father looked like. After all, they only had been united a day before Balinor's unfortunate death. Life just wasn't fair for Merlin.
"So when we fought against the dragon, I did not kill it but you ordered to stop attacking." Merlin nodded again. His throat was dry and he could not speak. He watched Kilgharrah annihilated the Saxons with relief. Although Merlin didn't like a slaughter, it was necessary for it to happen to win. They still had defeat the smaller army in the citadel so Kilgharrah was more evening the numbers "Why did you not do that in the first place? You could have have saved many lives."
In the distance the Great Dragon, satisfied that he had done his work, took of into the darkness. He had managed to maim, kill or scare all the Saxon warriors. All of the Camelot-Caerleon army gaped at the sight in astonishment. The dragon had basically annihilated the whole Saxon army and had not even scratched a soldier in their army, it was unbelievable. Since Camelot banned magic, the beast should be attacking them too but it didn't. It just swooped into the distance like a bat. Although everybody on the battlefield was shocked, Merlin knew he had to thank the dragon.
Thank you, old friend. I think Arthur might forgive you one day, the warlock telepathically announced
My pleasure, young warlock but you need to be careful. The drum beat has started and when it ends Arthur will be dead. You must heed my words and kill the Druid knight. With this Merlin heavily sighed and shut his eyes. It was not going to be easy.
...
"Morgana you realise that there is a massive army behind this grate," Mordred pointed out. The druid knight, the sorcerer and the witch were all rooted to the ground beside the grate that lead into Camelot. Mordred was looking perplexed, Alvarr was looking bored and Morgana was somewhat vague and lost in thought.
"Yes," Morgana dully confirmed.
"And if they see you they will kill you," Mordred fearfully said. "They will torture you beyond all human endurance and will leave you alive to decompose and get eaten by the rats." The young knight was extremely concerned for Morgana as she always had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I know," Morgana sighed not bothered by what Mordred was saying.
"Then why don't you stay somewhere else? Emrys will be here soon." Morgana flinched when Mordred mentioned Emrys. He was her destiny and doom. The witch knew that he would one day kill her but she had gotten over this a long time ago. Some things Morgana just had to live with.
"Your concern is touching Mordred," Morgana silkily hissed. "But I am a witch and they are Saxon scum. You are not coming in with us and will go to Ealdor to retrieve Guinevere. You need to keep ontop of your deception and cannot suddenly vanish. Emrys is clever and unless you continue be as good as a deceiver as you have been for the past six months, you will not fool him." Mordred solemnly bowed his head and stared at the ground. He cared for Morgana more than he did for anyone else and could not bear to lose her. Although Morgana acted like she was made of unbreakable stuff, and was for the majority of the time, Mordred knew that she could crack. It was only reasonable for someone who went through what Morgana went through. Everybody in the whole of Albion, was searching for her. Stories were told about her frosty emerald eyes becoming alight making everyone within her view drop dead. Other stories spoke of her being able to turn people to stone with a mere touch of her finger. Of course all of these stories were rumours but most people didn't know that. Everyone was intrigued by the witch who apparently could not feel pain nor love nor anything. Most people just thought she was an empty shell determined to rule the world.
"We'll manage Mordred," Alvarr grunted. "I will protect Morgana with my life." Morgana turned around to Alvarr in surprise but violently nodded her head.
"Farewell then," Mordred dejectedly announced. "I wish you both luck- not that you need it." Stepping forward, Morgana tried to work out what was going on in Mordred's mind. Mordred could see that Morgana was trying to this and stepped back.
"Goodbye Mordred," Morgana whispered. "I know that you will definitely not need luck." Narrowing his eyes, Mordred trudged off. There was something of a hint in that sentence. Morgana knew something about him that he did not. Most likely she had dreamt of him in her prophetic visions but Mordred still felt ominous at this thought. What had she foresaw?
"Your still a good actor," Morgana laughed once Mordred ha vanished into the darkness. Alvarr raised his eyebrows in question at Morgana. "Don't look so surprised. You condemned me to death a week ago and now your saying that you'll protect me with your life. "
"I never knew it was you my lady," Alvarr lied. Morgana, it happened, could read him better than a book. His thoughts and actions were so simple unlike Mordred or Emrys.
"Don't lie to me," Morgana spat. "Everyone knew that the Pendragon witch had been captured." Alvarr cowered back away from her slightly but held his dignity.
"Gremian is my half brother," Alvarr sighed. "I can't help it if my mother had an affair with a bandit king long before I was born. I never even knew he was my half brother until two years ago. He hunted me done and imprisoned me."
"Then he threatened your life and told you to make chant the chains and the dagger. Of course, you care about your life above all others and did what he asked," Morgana finished off. "Half brothers are horrible if past experience is anything to go by."
Bang!
Alvarr jumped around in fright at the noise of Morgana blasting the grate of its hinges. Laughing, Morgana cautiously stepped inside the tunnel and magically lit a torch. Alvarr suspiciously followed Morgana staying in her shadow. The only noises that were heard from inside the tunnel that lead to the citadel were the footsteps of Morgana and Alvarr. It was too quiet for Morgana's liking. It took them a mere five minutes too reach the end of the tunnel. Morgana and Alvarr were not interrupted by anyone the whole way and they could not see or hear any signs of human's occupying the citadel. The door at the end was padlocked and Morgana was about to blow it off its hinges when Alvarr cowered back.
"Ladies first," Alvarr trembled.
"More like cowards last," Morgana softly said. Her eyes glowed golden making the door blast off its hinges. As soon as the smoke and rubble cleared, Morgana began to notice silhouettes of huge people towering over her. The Saxon army in Camelot were gaping at her and Alvarr. Although the army only consisted of around a couple of thousand men, it was still more than Morgana and Alvarr could ever hope to deal with.
"Do you have any ideas," Alvarr murmured to Morgana. "I am really getting frightened by them just staring at us. It's creepy." Morgana edged along the wall, blasting several soldiers back.
"I HAVE ONE!" Morgana screamed. "RUN!" Morgana and Alvarr fled as fast they could into Camelot castle with the whole of the Saxon army chasing them. The Saxons needed to catch the witch for money.
In the distance Arthur and Merlin had successfully clambered up the ladders and hauled themselves over the wall of the Camelot. It was quite a shock to see the Saxons fleeing into the castle. Arthur looked completely bemused by this.
"What the hell are they doing?" Arthur yelled to his servant. "Don't they know that they are about to be attacked by us?" To his disappointment Merlin looked as bewildered as he did.
"I don't know," Merlin exasperatedly gasped. "But this is good news. What do Saxons like?" Arthur frowned at this sudden question.
"I don't know... Food, power, money," Arthur laughed. "Why?" Merlin stared at the basically empty citadel and then spotted the grate blasted of his hinges. It was so obvious to him now.
"Who could get the Saxons a lot of money in a minute if they kill or capture them?" Merlin asked.
"Me?' Arthur said in disbelief. "But why are the-"
"Morgana," Merlin and Arthur simultaneously exclaimed looking at each other.
"Why would she be here though?" Arthur dubiously wondered. Merlin shrugged but then a cheeky grin appeared on his face
"Well, she has been locked up with Gwaine an awful lot recently," Merlin chuckled. "It's more than likely that he's driven her insane."
...
"WHAT THE HELL ARE WE GOING TO DO?" Alvarr screamed. Morgana grabbed hold of his arm and drew him to a halt. The Saxons soon surrounded them and making Morgana feel slightly faint. None of the memories the Saxons brought to her mind were pleasant.
"Leave it to me," Morgana dangerously warned Alvarr. Her voice was soft and made shivers go up Alvarr's spine.
Once the pair of magicians were completely surrounded by Saxons, Morgana spoke up and said: "I am very sympathetic to inform you of the most recent tragedy. Your king and prince are both dead."
"Dead," many of the Saxons echoed. They all glared fiercely at Morgana who was completely relaxed. Alvarr trembled at her side. The Saxons did not like the air of audacity that Morgana had or the attitude which she always strode around with.
"Join us and we will be able to create world in whi-" Morgana started only to be abruptly interrupted.
"She mus' o' killed the king an' prince," a Saxon jeered. Morgana crossly folded her arms. Why was it that her manipulative join me speeches were interrupted? She was starting to think that there was a curse about it. It was like magic. Morgana's thoughts began to get twisted and then world started to fade from her and she dropped to the ground. Someone gracefully plunged a sword into her stomach as she hit the floor.
"NOOOOOOO!" Morgana shrieked. Magic instinctively surged out of her blasting back everyone in the room including Alvarr. There was nothing that she could do to prevent it. Morgana pulled the sword out of herself not feeling any pain. There was blood; buckets full of it. She didn't feel it seeping out of her. A vision was occurring in her mind. It has caused her to fall to the ground in the first place.
Morgana was standing on a coral coloured balcony gazing out towards the aqua see and the white sands. Her long ebony hair blew back in the soft breeze and the dress she was wearing contrasted her usual one. The dress was white, flowing and graceful. It blew back in the wind making her look like a ghost in the dark sky. Not all was well, though. Her hands were covered in crimson blood. Her face was pink flooded with tears. She trembled.
The vision changed to a blurry land with a light. Morgause was there looking as healthy as ever. Her blond glimmered in the light but she looked furious and ready to kill.
"I say Morgana," Morgause sweetly laughed. "The temptation of a servant boy who has beguiled you. It must be hard to not being him. You are a traitor to our kind sister." Morgana collapsed to her knees. She was sure she was crying.
"I do not love him Morgause," Morgana sobbed. "I thought you would understand." Morgause silkily laughed at this making Morgana feel more and more frustrated. She didn't like being conflicted.
"Then kill him," Morgause hissed.
"I care for him," Morgana wept. "I will never want to kill him after what he did for me the other day."
Another vision appeared. Morgana was lying in bed and looked like she had just woke up. There was a woman leaning over her to retrieve a cloth making her feel vulnerable. Morgana thought the woman had been going to hurt her and had blasted her back. Clambering out of the bed, Morgana turned the woman over to see her arm badly bruised. She vaguely recognised the woman but couldn't think where from. When Morgana remembered, she knew that Emrys would kill her. It had been instinctually.
Lastly, Morgana saw a cave with blood smeared on its wall. Her vision was too blurry to make out what it read but her hand were coated with blood. There was some else in the cave too, unconscious. A searing pain was burning one of her legs and working its way through it. She then saw nothing but darkness.
In the corridor, lay Morgana amongst all the bodies of the Saxons. Once her visions were over, she fell into a deep slumber.
...
"Why are all the Saxons routing?" Arthur muttered to his servant. Merlin shrugged for the seventh time this minute. Arthur was asking the most pointless questions. "I mean they haven't even seen us and they are running away."
"Let's go," Merlin called, striding towards the castle with haste. Arthur almost laughed at his bravery but then remembered that his servant had magic. Most of the Camelot-Caerleon army still had to climb up into the citadel but the few that had stumbled after their king. Merlin, Arthur and around fifty men entered the castle to find the room filled with a couple of hundred bodies.
"I think most of them are just unconscious," Arthur announced. Merlin exchanged dark looks with the king. If Morgana was this powerful now, she would literally be unbeatable in the future. Merlin knew he had to act fast. Soon Morgana would be completely corrupted and too powerful for her own good.
The next chapter is the last chapter of Confronting Destiny and Doom. The sequel of this story is basically just a follow on but I wanted to separate them because this story is mainly about the Saxon War and has hints of Morgana. My sequel is going to be about Camlann and Merlin/Morgana's relationship. Mergana is the key to the ending of the next story so it features heavily in what I have written of the sequel so far. I've had the ending planned out since July so it is not going to be very different from the actual series.
Thanks for reading and please review. It makes me happy and motivated.
