Hi guys! I'm back! It took much longer than anticipated and for that I'm sorry. This was just such a difficult chapter to write (you'll understand hopefully). Anyway you're all awesome! Here's a 'short' summary for those who need it:
Day 1: Kilgharrah warns Merlin and tells him he's going to die. Arthur and the rest of the Round Table find out Merlin's a dragonlord.
Day 2: Letters have arrived and Leon, Gwaine and Merlin depart towards Nortcliff while Percival rides to Caerleon.
Day 3: On the road with a late night arrival in Nortcliff.
Day 4: The trio search Nortcliff for Tristan and find him dying.
Day 5: Merlin magically transports them back to Camelot, Bayard's men are lurking at the border, Percival arrives at Caerleon, Morgana is in way over her head and then there is the reveal.
Day 6: Hréonhes attacks at midnight, the knights of Camelot flee Caerleon with Queen Annis as the whole castle and country is deserted, Merlin tries to find a solution and his temper isn't improving.
Day 7: Elyan and Percival return from Caerleon, Tom and Gerard have an audience with the King, Arthur finds out about Dragoon and confronts Merlin who's still busy doing research in the vaults with Gwaine's and Galahad's help. At the Round Table meeting they conclude whatever Morgana's planning, it will happen in two days. And there's a spy in Camelot…
Day 8: An early Round Table meeting doesn't come up with any solution to get Arthur and Merlin back to normal. Galahad remarks that something else might be bothering Merlin. Arthur meets Prince Lothian and talks with Annis offering a magical solution. Merlin finds out Hréonhes wasn't dead, but imprisoned by the dragons. Galahad rides out with three other knights to scout Hréonhes progress. They're ambushed by fog and smoke.
Camelot's emptied as the knights evacuate everyone into the castle. Volunteers are handed weapons and are manning the Wall. Lauren spies on the spies and gets caught, Lothian comes to her rescue. Merlin hears Galahad's scream for help and uses the Halfway to get him back. He and Hréonhes finally meet face to face and the ancient Dragonlord gives him a clue about Annis' condition.
Another Round Table meeting where Merlin and Arthur have another misunderstanding/argument. Merlin's back in the vaults with Gwaine and Galahad and decides to use the Crystal of Neatid to see the future. He sees his worst fear instead: him turning evil and willfully causing the death of his friends, imprisoning Arthur and being amused by it. In other words he saw himself turning into someone like Hréonhes.
Day 9: Arthur goes to the physician's chambers to see how Merlin's doing and gets yelled at by Gwaine. Meanwhile Merlin comes to the startling conclusion he has to die. Arthur rides out of the city followed by Leon. They come across a wounded knight and take him back to the city. Merlin thinks about his faith and what would happen if he confronted Hréonhes directly. It's not something he's willing to risk so he devices a plan to stop Hréonhes using his death as a focal point. He gives Annis hemlock explaining it's the only way to break the hold Hréonhes has over her people. She agrees. Arthur confronts Weylan the spy and Merlin's doing his best to come up with a decoy plan to keep Gwaine, Galahad and Gaius busy. Galahad found a way to protect the city for a short period of time. Merlin says goodbye to Arthur but the king doesn't realize it. Galahad finds out Merlin is going to do something rash but the warlock locks him in the vaults and leaves…
Chapter 21 continues were I left off, on the evening of that ninth day…
Chapter 21: Extinguishing The Light
"Merlin, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be helping Arthur?" Gaius asked hastily while at the same time coordinating two of his helpers, "One, two, three, up." A wounded man was heaved from the stretcher on the floor into a clean cot. Merlin winced when he saw the man's leg.
"What happened?" He asked as Gaius started to clean the bloody mess meticulously. "A cart fell on top of him I'm told. It's chaos out there. Or so they tell me." The physician nudged his head in the direction of the men's retreating backs. "You heard the bells. Caerleon's army has arrived. Is your plan finished?"
"In the nick of time as always. I'm on my way." Merlin answered and patted the bag hanging at his side. If Gaius noticed the vagueness of his answer Merlin didn't know as at that very moment another wounded man got carried in distracting the old physician from commenting. The infirmary counted a few beds less than a hundred which was hardly enough. The siege hadn't even started and already four beds were being occupied, one with Sir Eldir and the other three with ordinary citizens.
"Hand me that bowl." Gaius said while moving up and down the bed skilfully assessing the damage. Merlin did as he was told and his eyes shone golden, "I warmed the water." As always nobody saw it in the chaos. Still Gaius looked worried for a moment as if he wanted to say something, but the moment passed when yet another stretcher was brought in.
"Move him over there." Gaius ordered with a wave of his hand and hurried towards his new patient. Merlin swallowed bracing himself and inhaled deeply as he followed Gaius to the wounded man.
"Remember the other day when I started telling you something," Merlin started again while handing Gaius a tincture of poppy, "and then I couldn't remember anymore?"
"When you weren't even vaguely evasive?" Gaius replied while carefully measuring four drops before administering them to the patient. "Yes, I recall that. My memory is just fine. Those cloths if you will."
"About that, I wanted you to know that the thing that was bothering me then isn't bothering me anymore." Merlin said further assisting Gaius by adding pressure to the wound. The man groaned, but was otherwise unresponsive, something they were both grateful for. Gaius kneeled down pressing the edges of the wound together as he inserted a needle. They worked together in silence following their familiar routine as they had done for years. A few minutes later the man's leg was carefully bandaged.
"You're not going to elaborate?" Gaius asked as he walked hastily towards his next patient. Merlin didn't follow however and anxiously glanced back at the door. He was running out of time again.
"I'm fine now. It's just..." Merlin paused briefly using those seconds to calm his racing heart so he could say the next words with a steady voice. "I'm sorry I was so difficult these last few days. You know I value your guidance, Gaius. I need it even if I brush you off sometimes. I know it hasn't been easy with me adding to your problems."
"Not a problem my boy, don't ever think you are a problem." Gaius said earnestly as his eyes shone with pride. Merlin just smiled not trusting his voice not to tremble this time and left swiftly before leaving became too hard.
The king caught himself blinking in disbelief as he stared at the massive army in front of his city. The fields in front of him were amassed with hundreds, no thousands of people. He had known what to expect, both Merlin and Galahad had painted a rather vivid picture, and yet their words had not been sufficient to prepare him for this. There was a shimmer of dark smoke above them, vapours of dark magic twisting and curling like tentacles of a long forgotten creature. As they came closer their marching footsteps destroyed the fields in a roaring rhythm that reverberated throughout the walls and streets of Camelot. The sound and tremors were maddening. He meant what he said to Merlin in the courtyard earlier for if he hadn't he would have been paralysed with fear and no one would blame him for it. He trusted Merlin to vanquish this evil. So Arthur straightened his back and merely glared at the army in front of him.
"Fire the signal when they pass the hundred yards mark." Arthur repeated curtly more to himself than to the bowman standing next to him. The man nodded reassuringly slowly caressing his bow. Inwardly Arthur sighed. He was baffled with how his knights and more remarkably how the volunteers were conducting themselves. The noise of the approaching horde was deafening, their presence suffocating, but the men in his vicinity all gave him encouraging nods when they noticed the king was watching them. It was a bit disconcerting to learn his subjects' faith in him at first hand especially since he'd been busy questioning himself these last days.
This bowman for instance was an excellent example. Arthur didn't know him. He wasn't a knight, he was a hunter with a sharp eye and a steady arm. And even now, in the face of this army of horrors, Arthur noticed the man's hand didn't quiver. He clasped the man's shoulder with growing respect, "Good man." It saddened him that he knew not all of them would make it through the night.
The sun was setting rapidly hurrying away as if she didn't want to witness the following hours. As the shadows grew longer and longer Arthur walked on along the Wall only stopping when he reached his second in command at the main gate.
"Leon." Arthur merely said to announce his presence. The knight didn't take his eyes of the army in front of them and only a deep sigh told Arthur that Leon acknowledged his arrival. So he waited and joined the watch. Hundreds of makeshift torches were being lit down there. Arthur was as good as certain that the cursed people of Caerleon didn't need light to see. But the people of Camelot did. And from on top of the Wall this vast sea of wavy light was plucked straight out of a nightmare. Fear was a powerful weapon and it was no surprise that Hréonhes knew how to wield it perfectly. There was no sign of the dragonlord yet, but Arthur knew he was close by.
"We're as ready for them as we'll ever be, Sire." Leon finally spoke up. Great, that didn't even sound vaguely optimistic. But Arthur couldn't blame Leon's frankness. The knight went on, "At each watchtower one man awaits the signal to alight Galahad's herbs. It won't last long however even if it works."
Leon was about to add something else when a voice suddenly pierced through all the noise calling out his name, "Arthur!"
The king swerved around surprised, "Guinevere? What are you doing here?" He asked, his confusion growing as his wife got off her horse and darted up the stairs. A bit out of breath Gwen stopped next to him and looked over the battlements with determination.
"Showing I'm not afraid." She answered and squeezed his hand, which somehow had found a way into hers, reassuringly. He smiled wanly at her as he leaned against the parapets and motioned at the dark magic before him.
"Merlin was right." Arthur admitted it effortlessly, "Going to Dalbeth would have been the wrong decision. Camelot would have been overrun by the time we got back."
He hesitated, contemplating for a moment if he should say this, for he hated to worry her more than necessary. He sighed and leaned closer, "Guinevere, if this ends badly-"
"You don't need to ask, because it won't." Gwen interrupted him almost clamping his mouth shut. Arthur gently took her hands and kissed them before placing them on his chest. He looked her in the eyes.
"But if it does." Arthur insisted.
Gwen sighed and reassured him, "Then I'll continue what you started as we planned. But Arthur-"
Suddenly a flaming arrow faintly lit up the sky silencing Gwen and all those around her as they stopped to watch it soar into the air almost straight up. Arthur followed its trajectory with growing trepidation. It had begun. When it reached its highest peak the arrow tilted, spluttered and faded into darkness on its way down. Arthur turned his gaze to the nearest watchtower. Already soft golden whiffs of smoke rose up in every direction. Whatever Galahad and Merlin had concocted together it had some effect. Inwardly Arthur started counting down fifteen minutes.
The golden light caused a great deal of shock among the men of Camelot but slowly – after they glanced at the king's stoic reaction – the ruckus died down again. Gwen and Arthur both leaned forward to see the results on the other side of the battlements. The soft golden light spread out only a short distance in front of the Wall, but the cursed soldiers stopped their march at those places. Unfortunately the watchtowers were too far apart and the range of golden light was insufficient to cover the whole Wall. In those gaps the army did not halt. A bit further from where they were standing the battle was only moments away from commencing in full. Arthur's hand clenched and unclenched on the pommel of his fine sword. He looked down at Gwen's face which was etched with worry.
"Just come back to me." She whispered as they leaned against each other's forehead seeking comfort. For a brief stolen moment it was only them. Arthur tucked away an escaped curl behind her ear and leaned forwards kissing her lips softly.
"Always." He replied.
Gwen slowly took a step back and traced her hand lovingly along his jaw. With a final smile she left. Arthur and Gwen never suspected what an effect the queen's visit to the Wall meant for those who witnessed it. While the king's presence, leadership and reputation as a swordsman gave them courage, those simple gestures of love gave them hope.
Arthur motioned Leon to stay put and hurried along the battlements passed the reach of the golden mist. The men there were already bracing themselves for the inevitable impact. He inhaled deeply drawing his sword and held it up in the air. Beside him hundreds and hundreds raised their weapons as well in a brilliant show of camaraderie.
It was just a matter of seconds now...
With the force of multiple battering-rams the army plummeted themselves against the unprotected parts of the Wall. In the streets and courtyards near the Wall hundreds of men prepared their bows. A moment later a hail of arrows rained down on them, the flames mixing with the soft golden light from the nearest watchtowers. The next volley wasn't lit, a ruse that seldom worked against veteran soldiers. No shields were raised, but the cursed men kept coming unperturbed by any wound or any obstacle.
With a silent prayer and a loud "For Camelot!" Arthur joined in the chaos as he forced his first opponent back down the Wall.
For a moment Merlin paused at the door leading to the very top of the Northwest tower. There was no one in sight, no guard, no knight, nobody who could question what he could be doing here in this remote spot of the castle. For now the plan was working. Quickly he opened his bag and did a last 'final check' if he had everything with him. He was dallying, Merlin was well aware of it. With a shove and a push he opened the door and stepped inside. Another step and he was out of the doorway and onto the stairs. As he ascended the stairs he vaguely recalled that it took exactly 134 steps along the narrow spiral staircase to reach the top. He had counted them once when he had time. And why does useless information pop into my head at a time like this?
No time to lose now, he thought instead as he ran up as fast as he could. The trapdoor was already open and the evening air greeted him. He paused for a moment catching his breath and inhaled deeply. Being here it was, it felt like something that was ending.
The sun was setting. Below him, as he leaned over the battlements, he saw that the torches and lanterns were already lit, mirroring the stars above as they faintly appeared scattered across the sky. He supposed it was quite definitive. Strangely, now that he was standing here he didn't feel worried or anxious. A strange kind of peace lingered in the air around the tower.
The moon hadn't risen yet. Although it was only a couple of days ago, it felt as if months had passed since Gwaine joked about druids and the full moon down in the vaults. Merlin allowed himself to smile and just hoped Galahad would forgive him. He hoped everyone would forgive him.
He heaved the satchel over his shoulder and put it down. Swiftly unloading everything he neatly arranged its contents: the daggers, the crystal, his research... His scribbles were barely legible. Not that it mattered as he knew everything by heart. Unconsciously his eyes were already glowing gold. If he would have taken the time to glance down at the city he would have seen how the same shade of gold was mimicked at each watchtower as spheres of light started to expand in every direction.
For long minutes Merlin walked around – papers in hand, quill in the other – assessing the next step. The tower had a diameter of almost six yards. The encircling wall wasn't that high. Merlin could easily look over it and the battlements while narrow gave him an even better view of Camelot. He turned his attention back to his surroundings. The wooden latch was situated at the south side of the tower and could be easily locked. Three torches provided him with light, but Merlin doused them with another wave of his hand as they would hamper his plan and the moon would rise any minute now.
And then Merlin began.
Each rune was drawn with the outmost precision on stone floor of the tower. Some of them were placed against the wall, facing each other. It came natural to him - the placing and the size of the runes - it was just like Galahad said. Sometimes you only needed intent and Magic will do the rest. With a wave of his hand the ink was concealed. The daggers Gwaine collected where all in place, one or two between each battlement, blade facing inwards. Merlin looked around pleased. With some magic and suggestion they'll resemble dragons' teeth. His bag was hidden on the steps below the trapdoor which he could lock from the inside once Hréonhes arrived. The crystal was carefully hidden in his pocket. Not that Hréonhes would notice if he played it right...
Merlin sighed deeply, he shouldn't be thinking like this. The plan would work. He took a few steps until he was standing in the middle of the tower. He didn't think a loud roar was needed to contact the other dragonlord. So he crouched down placing his right hand flat on the tower's surface. He closed his eyes and slowly poured magic in the rune beneath him. It tingled and Merlin knew Hréonhes had heard his summoning. It was still a risk, but Merlin was positive that Hréonhes had no real interest in Camelot. He was just playing a game. And while the dragonlord wouldn't hesitate to slaughter thousands to reach his goals or just for the fun of it, Merlin had this feeling that Hréonhes would be more interested in hearing what he had to say.
The whole plan depended on that actually. All he had to do now was wait.
Galahad was pacing back and forth in front of the door, now and then kicking the remnants of the three chairs he thus far used to break it down. Nothing was working though. He had already blunted his sword on the lock. What had Merlin been thinking? More importantly, what was he going to do?
The druid kicked another piece of wood in frustration, ducking quickly when it bounced back from the door. This wasn't the way. He inhaled deeply. He needed to get out and stop Merlin or find someone else, preferably Arthur to stop Merlin. With a deep sigh he lowered himself on the ground just in case he lost control and the amount of power made his head spin. Galahad crossed his legs, took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself down and closed his eyes. He let the tight reins fall and the familiar magic pulsed all around him. He reached out for Merlin and the current pulled him up, higher and higher...
Galahad's face was etched with concentration as he tried to pinpoint the warlock's exact location. There! Merlin was in one of the towers, the Northwest tower to be exact.
He reigned the magic back in panting heavily from the effort thus far. At least his head felt somewhat normal. Luckily Merlin wasn't doing magic at the moment. Otherwise he would have felt completely overwhelmed. And now... The young knight failed miserably trying to suppress the shiver that ran down his spine because he didn't want to do what he had to do next.
He reached out to feel where Hréonhes was. But nothing, nothing could have prepared him for the sudden barrage of power and maliciousness that pressed down on his chest and hammered in his head. Galahad's eyes flew open in shock and he scrambled up already running towards the door even before he was standing fully upright.
"Someone! Please open this door! Help! Help!" He yelled and kept pounding his fist relentlessly against the hard wood not caring if he bruised his hands or not. "Please help! Can anyone hear me!?"
But nobody came and there was no way he could warn Merlin that Hréonhes was already in the castle. Galahad sank down still leaning against the door and tried to grasp back the control on his gift, or curse in this case. It didn't work though and he buried his head between his knees trying to muffle all the magic again. But it was too hard.
Arthur swerved underneath an axe barely managing to push his attacker back down the Wall. Like insects, he thought watching the cursed men eagerly piling on top of each other climbing the wall and the battlements. He was already feeling the chaos and disorientation of being in a battle. With some effort he pulled himself out of that narrow field of focus and tried to ascertain what was going on beyond his immediate vicinity. He spotted three knights nearby, the rest were volunteers all of them fighting valiantly and none of them familiar. Arthur didn't even recall when exactly he lost sight of Leon. He swiped the sweat of his brow and dared to shot a glance at the watchtower. The golden light was fading fast and everyone knew it.
All of a sudden five heavily armed soldiers jumped over the battlements, ploughing their way through Camelot's defences. They surprised Arthur, who was fast enough to dodge the multiple attacks but stumbled and ended up on his back hanging halfway off the narrow passageway, his head and shoulders suspended in midair.
It was chaos all around him – a forest of legs and swords – with no escape. The king tried to get back on his feet seeing no way up when out of nowhere a hand appeared. Elated he grabbed the offered limb.
"Now that's something you don't see often." Gwaine said amused as he pulled Arthur to his feet. Arthur mumbled some words of thanks before narrowing his eyes. It just dawned on him who was standing in front of him.
"Gwaine, what are you doing here?"
"No prize for gratitude and I'm following orders." The knight said and started to push the cursed men off the battlements as well.
"I ordered you to watch Merlin." Arthur argued annoyed as he blocked another attack.
"Merlin told me to go watch your back." Gwaine countered easily.
Arthur rolled his eyes, "When this is all over, I'll remind you exactly who's king around here." He sighed, "So if you're here, then where's Merlin?"
The question clearly caught Gwaine off guard forcing Arthur to pull him out of the way of a pitchfork. They stumbled backwards and took cover against the watchtower. Out of the corner of his eye Arthur saw how another volley of arrows crossed the city's boundary, their flames illuminated the walkway for a second.
"Gwaine?" Arthur asked again briefly allowing himself a moment to breathe when the man remained silent.
The knight grimaced, "The vaults?"
"Is that an answer or a question?" Arthur asked in return and when he didn't get a straight answer he raised his sword and pointed angrily in the direction of the castle, "Gwaine, get back there!"
"What about you?" The knight hesitated his eyes darting across the walkway. With each passing moment more and more of Caerleon's cursed men reached the battlements from everywhere. The golden light had vanished completely.
"Just ease my mind and make sure he's fine." Arthur waved his concern off, "I don't want him to do everything alone anymore." He added softly and glanced at the knight.
"Arthur," Gwaine said solemnly all of a sudden, "glad you didn't drop dead in that mêlée." While the king appreciated the serious tone, he hated the fact that the knight hadn't moved yet seemingly lost in thought for a moment.
"Gwaine!" He yelled shocking the knight back in action.
"All right, all right, running princess!" Gwaine bowed mockingly and smirked as he ran off again. Arthur rolled his eyes and stepped forward again, striking a man between the shoulder blades sending him back from where he came.
Lauren admired her queen even more as they swiftly passed through the crowded corridors, saying reassuring words and giving encouraging smiles to those who needed them. For a while a group of dozen children followed them until their mothers called them back. She didn't know any other royals to compare Gwen with, but she knew the queen was one of a kind when the monarch merely rolled up her sleeves as they arrived at their destination.
"Guinevere, I would say I wasn't expecting you, but that would be a lie." The physician greeted her courteously with a fleeting smile.
"Gaius, what can I do?" Gwen asked and followed the physician to one of the beds. Lauren paused in the doorway and swallowed hard. Right, she could do this.
Gwen noticed her servant wasn't following anymore and looked back worried when she laid eyes on Lauren's pale face.
"Oh, I'm sorry Lauren, I should have asked..." The queen said genuinely upset. Sometimes Lauren wondered if Gwen was for real.
"It's alright, I'll just go and sit over there." She said pointing towards the far end of the infirmary. Gwen's face saddened. No matter how good a physician Gaius was, not everyone could be saved and could only be made comfortable. She could do that: holding a hand, whispering comforting words. As long as she didn't need to stitch up wounds...
Lauren kneeled down next to one of the wounded. The man was around her age although it was hard to guess with the bandages wrapped around his head and neck. She was so preoccupied that she failed to notice that one of the other patients got up and left the infirmary skilfully gliding through the chaos.
Annis sighed and brushed some strands of hair out of Lothian's face. The boy was exhausted after crying and screaming that it wasn't fair, that it was all Arthur's fault and that they should have never come here. Brickem had watched the scene quite serenely waiting until the young prince stopped his rant. He had then swept the child into his arms in a fierce hug that held promise to everything Annis hoped for. At the moment Lothian was resting beside her and even in his sleep he was clenching her hand desperately. Her knight was sitting on a chair next to her bed furrowing his brow in concentration.
"Your Majesty, you do understand what you ask of me, don't you?" Brickem said after reading through the document for the sixth time. Honestly Annis was losing her patience with this dallying.
"Brickem, I'm as good as death," She stated bluntly, "and Lothian is still too young to carry out all of the responsibilities that come with the throne. I'll say it only once, so listen carefully: I want you to be Regent until Lothian's of age."
"Surely there are other candidates, more suited ones who-"
"There are none."
Brickem sighed, but nodded reluctantly, "Half of the nobles won't like it."
"You can handle them." Annis stated her faith once more. The knight sighed again and ran his hand through his hair. He picked up the quill to sign the document before pausing, "We need witnesses to make this legitimate."
"This castle is swamped with people. It can't be that hard to fetch someone."
A few minutes later four signatures decorated the most important document Annis ever signed. She closed her eyes for a second tired and in pain. But when she looked up again she smiled to the two witnesses, "Thank you, William son of Terrer and Mary daughter of Thawn. The House of Caerleon is honoured in your presence." The two citizens of Camelot bowed respectfully and retreated into the corridor once more. After the knight closed the door he went to sit back on his usual chair. They sat for a few minutes in companionable silence.
"Your biggest challenge Brickem, will be counselling Lothian." Annis confided, "He's stubborn and he hates Arthur. And whatever happened before tonight, it will be the fallout of this battle that will dedicate the bond between our two nations for years to come. If handled badly I fear for Caerleon because no one in Albion can afford to make enemies with Arthur Pendragon. We're merely lucky he is who he is..." She trailed off lost in thought for a moment. On his own the king of Camelot was a force nobody should trifle with, but now that Annis met his protector... The depth of his loyalty was incomparable. Between the two of them Arthur and Merlin would move mountains and oceans.
"My Queen?"
"I can see what is to come with such clarity now that I can't believe I missed it before." Annis smiled softly, "After that duel I knew there was something about him. It was refreshing to meet a man who envisioned peace and wasn't driven by his own personal glory. His desire for peace will encompass the whole of Albion or it could ruin us all."
"What do you want me to do?"
"A few months ago the idea of bowing to someone else would be blasphemous. And now... Arthur would never demand it which makes it that more easier for the rest of us to follow him with our eyes wide open. I want you to trust Arthur and help Lothian to trust him as well."
"It won't be easy."
"Stubbornness is a family trait Brickem, that and doing the right thing regardless of the costs. You will manage, I'm sure."
The trapdoor opened, much sooner than Merlin anticipated.
"Sir Eldir, what are you..." Merlin started confused before he hesitantly trailed off. Of course. He clenched his jaw nodding that he understood.
"Hréonhes." He greeted and closed the trapdoor with a wave of his hand.
The other man smirked. "You're smarter than you look." Merlin chose to ignore that comment and watched as Sir Eldir's appearance shimmered and changed. The white clothes disappeared making place for black and dark green. The familiar golden clasp of two dragons reappeared fastening Hréonhes' dark cloak on his shoulder. Cruel eyes looked around the tower in amusement until they rested on Merlin himself.
Hréonhes sighed dramatically, "I still can't believe all that power is huddled in that."
Merlin chose to ignore that as well and asked instead, "How did you...?"
"I wanted to see Camelot's hospitality myself." The dragonlord said and walked towards the battlements. "Cosy city. A tad conspicuous on the light show. I can assume that's your doing?"
"Were the patrols really attacked by Bayard or was it just another ruse?" Merlin inquired instead of answering. The revelation that Hréonhes had been in Camelot for almost a whole day churned beneath his skin like hungry maggots.
"It seems Camelot has its fair share of enemies although there were five knights that escaped the ambush at the border. Unfortunately for them I only needed one." Hréonhes admitted gleefully, "I was planning to use the druid for this, but you arrived to fast. A shame really as pretending to be him would have had its benefits. Pity for the four, no I'm mistaken, now five dead knights. I'm afraid your Sir Eldir just died somewhere in the ditch I left him."
Merlin clenched his fists at his sides but made no comment.
"Morgana says hi, I think. Or was it 'die Emrys die'? I forgot. It's all rather the same to me." Hréonhes scratched his head as if he was genuinely thinking about it. Then he shrugged, "She doesn't like you nor her brother. Family feuds, tsss... Frankly, I think it's all rather amusing. You should have seen the look on her face when she realized I wouldn't do her bidding."
"You're still attacking me and Camelot. Seems like she got what she wanted in the end." Merlin crossed his arms and glared at the man before him.
"I haven't told her who you are, Emrys." Hréonhes said almost amiably.
"I thought as much." Merlin answered and honestly it didn't surprise him. Hréonhes thrived on control and doesn't like to share. As much as he hated being thought of as someone's property, Hréonhes' possessiveness of having his own enemy would benefit him now.
"So," Hréonhes suddenly said announcing a new turn in their conversation, "this is rather nostalgic. Me the First and you the Last Dragonlord."
"You were actually the Second." Merlin countered. Hréonhes shrugged his shoulders and walked to the battlements. For a second the warlock held his breath fearing Hréonhes noticed the daggers, but his hand brushed over them before resting on the cold stone.
"Minor technicality." The dragonlord said turning around and leaned nonchalantly against the wall, "I wonder, did you kill your father to get the powers or was it an accident?"
"I'm not you." Merlin mustered as much venom as he could in that sentence, but the other man was unperturbed.
"Accident it was then. Tell me, did you cry?" Hréonhes asked smirking innocently.
"Which is a perfectly normal human reaction."
"Ouch, did you hear that?" The dragonlord slapped his hand against his chest, clenching the dark fabric dramatically, "Big bad Emrys just implied we're not human."
"About tonight," It was Merlin this time who changed the subject, "I thought you would make it rain, hail and thunder."
"Please, nobody likes fighting in the rain."
"We're not fighting." Merlin remarked and they weren't. The only exchanged some barbs and insults in the past minutes which even could be considered as nice by the ancient dragonlord's standards.
"So I've noticed." Hréonhes stated and then continued with a more hopeful tone, "You'll join me?"
"Never."
In a flash of movement Merlin smashed the crystal he had been holding against one of the runes he painted on the battlements. Rays and sparks of light like flames shot out of the impact, splitting up, further and further connecting with each other and with the daggers. Hréonhes shielded his eyes from the light. It only took a second. From down below there wasn't anything to see. The Northwest tower appeared to be as boring as a tower could be but when the two dragonlords opened their eyes again, they weren't in Camelot anymore.
Hréonhes backed up in fear twisting his head in every direction. They were standing on the bottom of a pit which was no bigger than the outline of the tower. That's were all the similarity stopped. Endless smooth black walls erupted all around them and high above them the culminating black and red clouds thundered and wailed. Flaming lightning split the air making the atmosphere crackle with quivering heat.
"Lovely place." Merlin remarked casually which only infuriated the panicky Hréonhes further.
"What did you do?" He demanded harshly while he still turned around his axis trying to find a way out like a scared little animal.
"Repaying the consideration you showed the first time we spoke. I hope it looks familiar. I put a lot of work in getting us here."
"Where are we?" Hréonhes ordered but all the authority was gone in his voice. He sounded lost and desperate and for a second Merlin smiled.
"We're not in Camelot anymore." Merlin admitted merrily.
"Emrys." The dragonlord insisted not even hiding the plea anymore.
"I would say somewhere Halfway…" That simple sentence shocked the dragonlord into action. He growled livid and stormed towards Merlin who did nothing to get out of the way.
"No this doesn't make any sense." Hréonhes grabbed Merlin's shirt with both hands and pushed him hard against the black wall. "What did you do?" He asked again.
"You know what I did." Merlin answered evenly unconcerned he was pinned rather forcefully to the wall, "And I didn't even need a dragon to accomplish this only some fire, some sacrifice, daggers and runes."
Hréonhes released his grip and took a couple of steps backwards. "No..." He whispered and started to knock on the wall on various places. Merlin watched silently as the dragonlord's movement grew more frantic by every passing minute.
"You knew I could do it." Merlin said softly while he kept observing the nearly hysterical dragonlord, "That's why you never dared to venture in the Halfway yourself." After what seemed like long minutes, but it could even be days as it was rather hard to tell in here, Hréonhes stopped and visibly pulled himself together.
"Release me." He ordered.
"No." Merlin answered easily and returned the glare. Hréonhes took a couple of steps to close the gap between them again, but Merlin refused to move an inch.
"I will kill you if you don't." The dragonlord spat.
"Then you'll be stuck here for eternity with a corpse. Oh, yes I figured out your weaknesses." Merlin said making Hréonhes blink in confusion, "You shouldn't have given me so many clues."
"Oh, enlighten me then, oh great one." The man smirked and bowed.
"It's the reason why you didn't kill Morgana, why you answered my call and why you will do anything not to end locked up in here again." The warlock summed it up. Hréonhes was getting impatient and agitated again. Every other second he glanced over his shoulder as if he feared the walls would start closing in on him.
"What is it?" The dragonlord fidgeted clenching and unclenching his hands.
"You dread being alone again." Merlin simply answered and added, "That and being powerless."
For once Hréonhes remained still. There were no insults, no nonsensical claims or reminisces of a gone away age. There was only silence.
Merlin cleared his throat, somewhat uncomfortable by this uncharacteristic behaviour. "You were awake all this time in here. I'm sorry." He should have remembered that men caught in their fear can act quite unpredictable.
"For what?" Hréonhes spat, his friendly demeanour vanished.
"It was a cruel punishment when you're not able to die or to live. Being stuck in the Halfway, with only yourself as company. I pity you… Immortality is not something I would covet." Merlin admitted and he surprised himself when he realised he meant all of those words.
"I don't need your pity, I'll kill you where you stand."
Merlin shook his head at the empty threat, "You won't."
Hréonhes opened his mouth to bark back an angry retort then he paused and looked around defeated. High above them the wind and clouds howled as loud cracks echoed off the narrow walls.
Suddenly the dragonlord's face lit up, "We're stuck here together."
"Yes, but you're forgetting I'm not immortal. You however don't have that luxury. Besides I'm pretty sure you'll kill me sooner rather than later out of pure annoyance. I have been told I babble incessantly."
"I can torture you into opening this lock."
"You can try but I doubt you have the patience for it and I hope you don't really think killing me would release you from your prison. Regardless of what everyone else may think sometimes, I am not an idiot." Merlin said his voice low laced with authority.
"So this is your plan?" Hréonhes said incredulously, "We both die far from our homes?"
"Don't you remember? You have magic's protection. The dragons couldn't kill you so I doubt another half a dozen centuries in here will do the trick this time."
Hréonhes sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He looked to Merlin again, "You really thought this through, didn't you?"
"For once, I can say I did. I had many nights to think about this." Merlin wasn't bluffing now. All the pieces strangely fitted together earlier. All the books he read, every idea he'd run by his friends, they all connected in the end.
"Okay, I give up. Emrys, you have me where you wanted me." The other man applauded three times and then added, "I can only assume your brilliant scheme has a next phase or do you really plan to kill yourself?"
"I'll release us from your prison if you'll agree to take the Eall Oath."
"Do you have enough magic for that?" Hréonhes taunted but his voice sounded empty and his pale red blotched face diminished the effect further.
"I brought us here." Merlin merely answered. Hréonhes took another look at their surroundings and then narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "You can't demand my death with that Oath. It's sealed with our living magic."
"I know the Oath, read all about it in some old tome. And I don't care, I just want you to leave."
"I assume you already prepared the wording of your precious Oath?" Hréonhes sneered.
Merlin nodded, "You will leave Camelot without harming any of the souls currently staying within its borders and no army of yours, mortal or immortal, magical or non-magical can ever cross the boundaries of Camelot again."
"Of all the things you could or should demand of me, you ask for Camelot's safety? You use them as your focal point? Not yourself?"
"You can't possibly understand."
The man huffed and rolled his eyes, "At least I can agree with you on that."
"Any objections?" Merlin asked trying to sound nonchalantly. Hréonhes had to agree. It was vital...
"Like I have any choice... Just give me your hand." Hréonhes demanded impatiently still skittish after another deafening thunderclap interrupted their conversation. Merlin offered his arm and levelled it as Hréonhes clasped their forearms together. Their wrists were touching and Merlin felt Hréonhes accelerated pulse beneath his fingers.
"Bound by Magic I thus swear to leave Camelot without harming any of the souls currently staying within its borders and no army of mine, mortal or immortal, magical or non-magical can ever cross the boundaries of Camelot again." An invisible band tightened around Merlin's wrist and he assumed Hréonhes was feeling the same discomfort. Now it was his turn.
"Bound by Magic I thus swear to undo the magic that's trapping us here." The band flared up with white light and Merlin felt it burn into his skin.
The next words they said together while the light and the burn intensified, "þurfan eall manaþ áþstæf forþcymeþ in dægrædléoma in fýrcynn!"
The light vanished and Merlin allowed himself to take a deep breath. Hréonhes released his arm quickly and took a step back. "Well? Are you getting me out of here or not?" The man asked impatiently.
Merlin waved his hands around – his wrist still stung – and mumbled a spell. The walls started to spin around them, mist rose up and a second later they were standing in the cool evening air of Camelot again.
"Your turn." Merlin ordered and watched tentatively how Hréonhes walked towards the battlements.
"They're retreating!" Someone suddenly yelled as Arthur raised his sword to block an attack that didn't come. Others were picking up the same cry and the pressure of the battle dissipated in the blink of an eye. The cursed man in front of him seemed to shrink and walked backwards to the Wall. Arthur lowered his sword while he looked around. All around him their attackers were doing the same. Arthur pushed forward and ran up the stairs so he was standing above the gates. The lookout was correct. As if on demand, the people of Caerleon retreated awkwardly and fast as if someone were pulling their strings. Disregarding the retreat for a second, the king tried to spot his faithful knights.
"Arthur!" Leon shouted as he ploughed through the mass of men on the narrow walkway. Arthur met him halfway. "You okay?"
"Still in one piece." Arthur said truthfully. Now that the adrenaline was diminishing he felt the full effects of the battle. His left shoulder was being difficult and he knew for sure that Gaius would order him to wear a sling for a couple of days. "And you?" He didn't see any obvious wounds on his second in command.
"They retreated at the right time. I saw Percival and Elyan. They were heading here as well."
"Good," Arthur said and leaned across the battlements. The people of Caerleon were almost at the hundred yards mark again. "We need to find out what's going on and fast. Order everyone to remain at their posts for now and start to evacuate the wounded to the castle."
"It's time." Brickem said with a hollow voice when the sounds of the retreat reached their chambers. Annis nodded and reached for the small bottle on her night table. Lothian was faster and closed his hand around the bottle.
"I don't want you to go." The Crown Prince's bottom lip quivered again as he tried not to cry.
"I know, dear. Come here, Lothian." Annis said softly and patted her hand on a spot next to her on the bed. She waited until he was seated next to her to continue, "It's all right to cry, but afterwards I need you to be strong like your mother and father and like your uncle." She raised his chin kindly with her fingers.
"And like you." Lothian said heartbroken. Annis smiled again and kissed his forehead, "Now be brave and go over there." She nudged her head in the direction of the window. Reluctantly Lothian got off her bed. He eyed the bottle one last time before releasing it into her open waiting hand. No needless words were exchanged any more. Brickem stopped holding his breath and moved closer to offer his help to his queen.
The pop from uncorking the bottle echoed around the now quiet chamber. Lothian stared out of the window. Below him the courtyard was still in chaos. He clenched his fists by his sides, biting his lips ferociously so that his aunt wouldn't hear him crying. He willed his shoulders to stop shaking.
"For Caerleon." He heard her say behind his turned back. He closed his eyes and in his mind he began to repeat those words over and over again until he heard nothing else.
"There, satisfied?" Hréonhes spat and moved away from the battlements. Merlin walked over to him and looked across the city. At the far end he saw how the mass of people moved away from the Wall, "Very."
Now that the danger for Camelot has passed, Merlin's frustrations and fears of the last couple of days caught up with him and he swerved around to confront Hréonhes. "I just don't understand. Why couldn't you just live your life? You've been given a second chance!" He all but yelled in the dragonlord's direction. Hréonhes shrugged his shoulders as a reply.
"This is what I do, I can't help it…" He said while rubbing his temple absentmindedly, "When I was younger I thought the world was mine to change, but they didn't listen and people died. Auburn dresses lit aflame. I needed to put things in order. Now I know better. Chaos is much more desirable. The caring simply stopped one day. You'll find out soon enough that you can't save men from their own stupidity. It's much more fun to lend them a hand."
"That's not true." Merlin argued in vain, wondering yet again what had driven the other man down his chosen path.
"Oh, being a hypocrite much?" Hréonhes snarled, "Let me tell you something, you're not that different from me after all. I came here for an answer or a fight. And what do I find? A vicious trap to ensnare me in my prison again. All in the name of your great destiny! So crawl down from that pedestal you've put yourself on, Merlin and gaze upon your reflection!" He motioned towards himself and added, "You're well on your way already."
"You're wrong, I'll never be like you." Merlin whispered but he knew from the moment that statement left his lips it lacked conviction. He turned his back to gaze down again at the retreating army. Somewhere below Arthur was no doubt barking orders, probably trying to figure out what happened. Only this time he knows who's behind it. With all the drama and distress of the previous days Merlin had almost forgotten he didn't have to hide anymore. That burden, that secret wasn't his anymore. Merlin felt relieved, knowing he kept them safe from another threat. Hréonhes doesn't understand.
"You don't sound that confident." Hréonhes interrupted his thoughts, "And now…"The dragonlord's voice changed to a low maniacal growl as he suddenly hissed right beside Merlin's ear, "we'll never know."
Alarmed with the sudden proximity Merlin whirled around, a fraction of a second too late to stop it. In one fluid upwards thrust Hréonhes stabbed him in the abdomen with one of the dozen daggers conveniently lying within reach. Pain as he never knew before shot through him. It was worse than he ever imagined it to be. Merlin involuntarily leaned forwards grabbing the dragonlord's shoulder with one hand and the stone battlement behind him with the other for support.
"Should have asked for your safety as well, Merlin, or did the almighty Emrys miss the loophole?" Hréonhes whispered gloatingly in his ear pulling the warlock closer in their deadly embrace. Merlin clenched his teeth and screamed when the knife was twisted cruelly as all Hréonhes' hate and power poured into the wound. A second later Hréonhes pushed him away and Merlin, knees already shaking from the effort and pain, lost his balance and fell back connecting hard with the battlements behind him. Not that he noticed the minor bruises as the full focus of his pain encircled his left side between his lower ribs. It was the pain that dragged him further down and he ended up on his front sprawled across the tower's floor. He crawled away on instinct towards the trapdoor careful not to slip. With his left hand he clenched his abdomen to stop the blood flow distantly recalling Gaius' lessons on the use of pressure. It was a weak attempt and his conscious mind already realized that this was it. He couldn't get away. Hréonhes followed his feeble progress with a half-hearted snicker twirling the bloodied dagger from one hand to the other.
"What a shame, I was rather enjoying your company before tonight. We could have stretched this game out for years! But you had to spoil it, didn't you?" Hréonhes said angrily stepping closer and he kicked Merlin's side for good measure as if it was his fault he got stabbed. The warlock groaned and stumbled rolling helplessly onto his back. He stayed there in the middle of the tower breathing shallowly from the effort and the pain. Blood was quickly soaking his blue shirt. Merlin blinked and stared up trying to read the dragonlord's puzzling emotions as the man leaned over him.
"Just look at what you made me do." The man looked honestly distraught for a second, his anger gone, which was a rather strange expression. It didn't suit him at all. Hréonhes sighed annoyed, "Get up, Emrys. You're not even trying to fight me. It's really disappointing."
"You... could... heal..." Merlin managed to wheeze between increasing fast breaths. He vaguely registered he was going into shock. His heart seemed to be going hundred miles per minute. His feet and hands were becoming so cold.
"Haven't healed a person in my entire life, had dragons for that." Hréonhes answered and kneeled down. For a brief moment he pressed his hand down on Merlin's own adding more pressure to the wound, "They're gone now as well. You feel clammy. Interesting." He said examining the blood on his fingers from up close, "Have you ever seen dragons fight? It's like pieces of hard rock ploughing into each other in the sky. Small mountains making the earth quake and the air's alight with roaring flames. I wish we could have seen it together. Such a sight. Clouds of smoke covering the land for days. Whistling and grinding. Colours black and blue and white. Burning as far as the eye can see."
Merlin vaguely understood Hréonhes was mumbling nonsense again. He stared up at the sky following the dragonlord's gaze as the man stared wistfully upwards. The stars are black tonight, Merlin thought not realizing it was his vision that was getting darker.
He lifted his head briefly. Not that he needed a visual confirmation that this was really, really bad. Blood kept seeping through his fingers, his strength now waning to keep sufficient pressure on the stab wound. The strange warmth did nothing for him while the cold numbness was spreading too quickly to the rest of his limbs. He shuddered again, convulsing lightly as he tried to squeeze as much air as possible into his lungs. It wasn't working. He tried to shift his legs, but they didn't react. He had no control anymore. Merlin blinked heavily and it took almost all his willpower to keep his eyes open, just for a while longer...
I'm so sorry, Arthur.
His head sagged a bit sideways, the stones felt cold against his ear. It tingled.
"Fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme." Merlin mumbled the words quietly but clearly. Frightened for a moment Hréonhes took a step back, but the magic wasn't directed at him. A soft glowing bluish white orb appeared in Merlin's right hand as it rested motionlessly on the stones next to his face. The warlock tried to smile as he saw the hovering light, but only managed a grimace. The memories...
It was as if Arthur had snapped his fingers, but it was not his doing. Suddenly an eerie noise covered the fields in front of the city and the black smoke and mist expanded in every direction. It wasn't spreading, it was dissipating and when the blackness vanished completely every single citizen of Caerleon was lying on the ground.
"They all collapsed! Wait, Sire I think they're back to normal. Look!"
The lookout was correct. They all could see it now. Amidst the low burning fires and hastily forged torches the people of Caerleon now woke up and began to look around in confusion.
"For the love of God! Will someone please explain what's happening or better yet, find that useless manservant of mine!" Arthur cried exasperated when nobody answered. He sighed heavily and rubbed his temples. This was not good, in a moment chaos would erupt when the thousands of stranded men and women realized where they were.
"Get Sir Brickem here and the prince," He ordered Percival who just arrived at the gates, "If Annis is well enough get her here as well."
"Elyan, take two dozen knights with you and get down there. Try to locate Annis' knights. They know you. Explain everything to them. Keep it brief and get them to help you to keep the calm. Leon, you need to maintain the defences for now and cover Elyan's search. We don't know if this is over yet. So stay alert."
"What are you going to do?" Leon asked worriedly.
"Finding the one person who can explain." Arthur said already rushing down the stairs. He hosted himself onto his saddle, steering his horse in the direction of the castle as fast as he dared through the crowded streets. Suddenly halfway between the gate and the castle an orb of light appeared just in front of him. His horse reared back and staggered almost throwing him off.
"Easy, easy." Arthur reassured his mare while he observed the orb with suspicion. Then the king recognized it with a shock, but it was a bit different this time. The first time in the dark caves, after the initial scare had passed, it felt like hope. Of course it had been Merlin's doing. Only he would be foolish enough to use magic while being poisoned. Now however it only pulsed with indescribable sadness.
Arthur frowned but he couldn't explain the feeling he got any other way. It kept hovering right in front of him and the king hesitantly lifted his hand and reached out to touch it. Just then it faintly flickered for a second or so. He quickly pulled his hand back fearing it might disappear altogether. Fascinated and entranced he kept gazing at the ball of bluish white light trying to discern its present meaning.
Why is it so hard to breathe? It felt as if the dagger was still planted there between his ribs. He swallowed and almost passed out from the sudden stab of pain that only worsened more and more. He tried to wet his lips; he would do everything for a glass of cool water now.
The light had guided Arthur once and now it would guide him. His fingers twitched releasing his grip completely from his blood soaked shirt. His hand stayed there, resting useless on his chest as it rose and fell with the rhythm of his ragged breaths. Up and down and up and down. Again and again in rapid succession.
He shivered coughing feebly. He could feel the wound mocking him and his magic, mocking his destiny, mocking his pathetic attempts to hold on...
Why bother? Just let go, a voice inside his head whispered. It seemed a very tempting idea. Somewhere Hréonhes was pacing. Merlin still heard the heavy steps reverberating through the fog already rising inside his mind.
Again the light flickered momentarily and Merlin panicked.
Don't go!
He concentrated every ounce of his strength in order to keep the light going even if it was just for a moment longer. The light faded for a second, then another. It was getting harder to keep his eyes open. Or was it getting harder to do anything? He couldn't feel anything. He didn't know.
Take me with you then.
As the orb beside him mercifully faded away, leaving Camelot behind a far darker place, the pale hand on top of his chest finally stopped moving.
"And he went with a sizzle instead of a bang." Hréonhes commented dryly, shaking his head in disappointment. He looked around contemplating what to do next. He sighed and kneeled down again closing Merlin's empty eyes in a completely misplaced attempt to pay his respects. "Now it's just us, the filly and that fire breathing midget. Great, this world just became boring."
With another sigh he vanished from the tower.
NO! It's not the end, so don't stop reading! I promised a few more chapters and they're coming. I'm not making any promises on the update date as I suck at keeping them, just know that I'm working on it.
þurfan eall manaþ áþstæf forþcymeþ in dægrædléoma in fýrcynn! Constructing grammatically correct spells for Merlin are far above me so this is a combination of the following words after pulling them through Old English Translator: "Need/require whole what should be done oath shall come to pass we will in light of dawn in fire!"
So please review and let me know your thoughts!