Merlin stood inside the circle of druids. He didn't envy them their task. The spell they were about to do was very complex. It involved sending someone from one place to another in a matter of moments. He had his bag, containing some food and two leather water skins. However, whereas one contained water, one contained a different version of the liquid he drank that helped him heal. It was a distilled version that would boost his energy when he drank it. The druids had also provided him with a knife, as they were a peaceful people and had no weapons aside from magic, for the plan he had. He asked the druids, again, if they would be okay to go through with it, to which they replied with nods and other assertions. They began to chant, and the last thing he saw before he was spun away was the old druid nodding to him respectfully.

He landed in a heap on the ground and immediately jumped up to see where he was. The druids had got the spell nearly spot on, as he was in the forest just to the side of the castle wall, where he and Arthur had often snuck out from the dungeon tunnels and the other entrances. As he dropped down, to avoid the gaze of the guards who normally patrolled the wall, he made a decision. He knew that in this fight, magic might not be enough to protect him, and he had remembered, in the cave, that he had been able to use the dragon forged blade like a master. He immediately ran towards the clearing where he often called the Great Dragon. It did not take him long to reach it, and he spoke in the language of the dragon-tongue, summoning the Dragon. He was surprised to see, not one but, two dragons land in the clearing, and recognized the white dragon as the one he had called from the egg... Aithusa. He turned to face the great dragon.
"You once breathed flames onto the blade now welded by Arthur," he said, "and Now I ask you to do the same again. But not for a sword." He held out the knife, "For this. I need to be able to fight, and a knife is as good a weapon as any." The great dragon spoke in his sombre tones as he looked down at Merlin.
"You have suffered greatly these past few days, young Warlock. Yet you are willing to run to the aid of one who told you that he would see you dead. Why?" Merlin knew that there was no point in prssing his request and answered the question.
"You once told me that I was destined to protect Arthur, when I believed I would not. Now, I believe I have to. He's my friend, and the only hope for the future of Camelot. Albion is but a possible future, he is more important than that." He looked up at Kigharrah, not able to gauge anything from his expression.
"Very well, young Warlock, I shall do as you ask. But as before, I warn you. In the wrong hands, weapons of such power can do great evil..." They both turned to look at Camelot, as they heard a terrifying screech wrent the air, followed by another... and another. Merlin froze.
"The gargoyles," he murmured, remembering the last time these stone creatures had come to life. He turned to the dragon.
"We must hurry" he said, before using magic to levitate the blade. He still flinched as white hot flames encased the blade, and was wary when grasping it, even though he knew it would not burn.
"Go now, Merlin." ordered the dragon. "and do not fear the stones. They are only as strong as their holder, and the Witch does not understand their magic, she simply uses it. Be careful Merlin." And with that, both dragons flew away.
"Thankyou..." Merlin murmured to the empty air, and he ran back through the woods.
_

Arthur awoke, and the first thing he noticed was that Gwen was still asleep. He moved slowly, as not to wake her and dressed. He was struggling with the catches on his wrists, realizing that he had long been taking Merlin for granted, when he felt her arms around him. She took hold of the catches and completed the job, also tweaking the rest of his armour.
"Be careful, Arthur" she pleaded quietly into his shoulder, "You can beat her, but I'd rather you didn't die in the process..." Arthur had to smile. "Always making it better for others... and Gwen?" He turned and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, "Stay safe." He kissed her, then left the room, heading down to the council chambers where they had all agreed to meet. He walked in to see most of them there. They seemed tired.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked the group at large. Everyone answered with
'No Sire', or various other comments. Arthur gathered that not a single one of the men had got a wink of sleep the previous night, him included. He looked around.
"So we are just missing Gwaine and Elyan" he surmised, before Elyan burst into the room. "Sire," he gasped. "Gwaine won't wake. Nothing will wake him." Arthurs blood ran cold.
"Morgana is using the stone" he murmured, then to the group. "Well, it's begun. Damn Her. We cant stop it now, so we had best make the most of what we have." He turned to Sir Leon, "Check the barracks. See how many men we have." Leon had just turned to walk away before he stopped and looked back.
"Sire," he ventured, "I thought you said that we would need a sorcerer to beat her... From what you told us of Merlin, I gather that not all sorcerers are evil... I mean, Merlin was a friend to everyone..." Arthur sighed,
"Everyone," he repeated softly, under his breath. He turned to the group. He had told them little of what had happened, only telling them that Merlin was a sorcerer and that they had argued, culminating in Merlin vanishing. "Leon, I wish as much as you that he would come, but after some of the things I... look. Lets not get our hopes up."
Ten minutes later, and everyone had decided that the best thing to do would be to gather the remaining soldiers and keep up the defences of Camelot as best they could. Just as they were about to leave, Sir Elyan spoke,
"Sire, just to let you know that in the last two days, people have become increasingly violent towards each other... Could it be one of the other stones?" Arthur smashed a fist into the table.
"Damn her to hell," he cursed. "Yes, it probably is the work of the stone. Just try to keep from fighting. You are strong of will, so it will not affect you as fast. Lets just hope she doesn't unleash the demons..." A blood curdling shriek rent the air, and everyone froze.
"To the courtyard, the Gargoyles..." Arthur cried, recognising the sound. They ran out into the courtyard, reliving the time that the Gargoyles had attacked Camelot before. The fighting started and so the morning passed into the afternoon...
_

Merlin used the passage that led to the weapons room, the one he had helped Morgana use, once before, to get the druid boy out of Camelot. He arrived at the secret door, only to find the room empty aside for three sleeping guards. He tried to wake one, but soon realized that it was the work of the stones. He raced up through the castle, pulling the hood on his cloak down to hide his face, heading for the courtyard. When he arrived, a sight of destruction met his eyes. All of the men fighting were injured, knights and soldiers alike, but none of them was Arthur. Merlin scanned the crowd in an ever increasing panic, and finally saw him. He had taken on one of the Gargoyles single-handedly, but was outmatched. After all, you cannot destroy stone... unless it crumbles... Merlin raised his hand, and his eyes turned an amber gold as he released the magic, the same spell, over and over. One by one, the Gargoyles crumpled into dust. The remaining ones flew or ran, obeying some unknown order from an unseen master. He grinned at his work, before melting into the shadows. Just as Arthurs eyes met his own, he turned away, hoping that he would think it a trick of the light.
_

Arthur couldn't beat the Gargoyle that was bearing down on him, and knew that the rest of the men were likewise out matched. After all, how can you destroy stone. He brought his sword up in a futile attempt to shield himself, but was amazed to find himself showered in dust. He looked up, and saw that each of the Gargoyles was crumbling, one by one. How could they... He saw a twitch in the shadows by the doors and turned, just catching sight of a flicker of gold vanishing. Could it have been... Merlin? He an over to the spot, but could see no-on in anydirection aside from the knights and soldiers in the courtyard... Then again, Merlin always worked in the shadows... He beckoned the men, but was dismayed to find them all doing nothing but arguing between themselves.
"Hey" he cried, "the magic of the stones is at work here, whatever you are arguing about, stop." He felt himself getting angrier at the men, but managed to keep his anger in check. "Inside" he ordered, and was glad that the men followed his orders. But he knew it was only a matter of time until he would be unable to stop them. Throughout the late aftrnoon and evening, some of the men had to be locked up, in order to stop them from fighting their comrades, and the number steadily progressed through the night, as they all got more and more tired. Arthur looked around. They needed to be able to sleep... and work as a unit... they needed to destroy the stones. He caught sight of something in the shadows of the balcony, but when he looked, he could see nothing. For some reason, a smile spread across his face... Guardian Angel... Then he caught sight of a red feather fluttering down from the same spot... it looked like one of the ones Merlin wore on the hat... the day he drank the poison to prevent Arthur from doing so... Could it be... His suspisions were confirmed as he saw two more feathers fall. He turned to Sir Percival.
"I am going to check on something. I wont be long. Try to keep them from fighting." He had just opened the doors when he saw a bright flash and was thrown backwards. A storm of demons flew into the hall, followed by Morgana. Arthur got to his feet, and noticed that she was wearing the same as she had the other day, but had three stones in her hands.
"Hello again, how do you like my pets?" She asked, flinging back th men that tried to rush her. "Tut tut," she said mockingly, "Hold your tempers... Oh, wait a moment. You can't." She gave another laugh, which was cut off by a voice above her.
_

Merlin decided that if he was going to be able to help properly, Athur needed to know he was here. He ran to the wardrobes that held the ceremonial outfits of the servants of Camelot, and plucked a few feathers from one of the hats. He remembered how Arhtur had ordered him to wear the outfit and laughed. Good times... He immediatley ran to the great hall, where most of the men were assembled, and climbed the stairs to the balcony. He waited until Arthur was not busy with other things, then let a single feather drop. He waited until it had his attention then let another drop, then another. He must have got the message, because he got up to tal to Percival, beore heading for the doors. He had just begun to open one, when he flew backwards and crashed into the tables. He got to his feet just as Morgana came into the room amidst a swarm of the demons. He heard every word she said, but was more focused on the belt. Where was... oh, there. He saw the stone that resembled the drawings of the dusk stone in the books and stood up. Cutting her off, midlaugh, he called.
"Lady Morgana, Your taste in jewels seems to have diminished. Lets remedy that, shall we?" He said a spell, and a jet of light shot down, hitting the stone square in the center. It shattered, sparkling dust traveled to the floor around Morgana's feet. She glared at him, but he was more focused on the men that had fallen to the floor.
"They will be fine," he called down, "They just need to catch up on their sleep." He dodged a streak of gold that sailed past him, hitting a shield mounted behind him and turning it to dust. He stared at Morgana, holding her in pace, frozen, with a silent thought.
"Run," he murmured, knowing she would hear him. He released her and she ran out of the hall, summoning the demons after her. Merlin looked at Arthur, unable to identify his expression. He turned and ran down the stairs, heading for the great hall.