Hello Everyone! A new chapter for you all, I hope you enjoy it! It all ends tonight, I'm uploading the rest of the story tonight as well.
I don't own Merlin.
Blood. Blood and death. That's all Merlin can see. He and Gwendolyn are fighting side by side with Arthur. They've had a plan since all of this began. They were going to find Morgana, and they were going to end this war, once and for all. Merlin never wanted anyone to die, but knows that they chose their side, and there was no other way. Arthur, even while fighting marvels at what he's doing. He's fighting evil sorcerers, which in itself isn't odd, but what strikes him is who he's fighting with. A warlock and a sorceress. One he's known nearly seven years. One he only met a few weeks ago. And he would trust both of them with his life. His knights are scattered throughout the lower town fighting side by side with druids, and the majority of the townspeople are inside the castle, doing what they can to help in any way.
"You know, your father is probably turning in his grave right about now." Merlin shouts as they dash across the courtyard. Gwendolyn laughs and Arthur just shakes his head.
"Only you could find humor in this Merlin. Now come on, if Morgana's going to be anywhere it's going to be the main entrance to the siege tunnels." They run to a hidden area near the grain stores, but stop when they see Morgana. "Alright, do you both remember the plan?" The two nod and look at each other. Gwendolyn runs out.
"Lady Morgana! I know where Arthur and Emrys are!" She shouts and bows deeply. It's then that they see Mordred with her.
"Where are they? Quickly tell me!" Morgana shouts at her causing her to flinch.
"They're in the meadow behind the castle." She disappears in a whirlwind. Merlin and Arthur look at each other.
"Take my arm."
"What!"
"Just take it, unless you'd like to stay here." Merlin rolls his eyes as Arthur grabs his arm. "Sciphlaest ύs aet se filiþléag." He whispers and they end up in the meadow where they fought the dragon. They see Gwendolyn as she climbs up into a tree.
"Are you sure you're ready for this Merlin?"
"Honestly, I'll never be ready. But this is my fault. I have to end this." Merlin says far too seriously for Arthur's taste.
"You aren't alone Merlin. I'm right here next to you. This is how it's supposed to be."
"Destiny. It seems like it will always rule our lives, doesn't it Arthur?" He lets out a small laugh.
"Well, well, well, it looks like the weasel has come out of its hole. Tell me Merlin" she spits his name out "where is Emrys? I know he's been protecting you."
"Just go with it, I don't think she realizes that you're Emrys." Gwendolyn tells Merlin via telepathy.
"He's around. Why are you scared Morgana?" Merlin looks at his former friend with pity written across his features.
"My, my, it's amazing how much a few magic tricks can do for one's confidence. Of course you've always been annoyingly insolent." They are completely ignoring Arthur. Morgana is doing it to annoy Arthur, but they had planned for this. This whole meeting is a set up, a trap for Morgana.
"I remember a time when you found that same insolence refreshing Morgana. What happened to you? You used to be so full compassionate, so loving. Why did you betray us?"
"I betrayed you? You have magic; you should be on my side! You should have told me!" Morgana sneers at him as he lowers his head.
"I never meant for this to happen Morgana, I wanted to help you, I wanted to tell you, but Gaius wouldn't let me. That's why I sent you to the druids. Then Uther thought you had been kidnapped, and I couldn't stop it without risking being found out. You have every right to be angry with me Morgana, I don't blame you. I was angry when I learned who my father was, no one ever told me who he was either, but that doesn't give you a right to hate everyone and destroy Camelot. I won't let you. Arthur is the Once and Future King, he will be the one to bring magic back to Camelot." He speaks with an odd confidence in his voice, one Morgana has never heard from him before.
"You, stop me? You don't have the power to defeat me! I no longer wish to waste my time on you. I've wanted to do this for a long time. Abradwian" She thrusts her hand out, a stream of red light flies from her fingertips, and she turns and walks away. Merlin holds his hand up, absorbing the spell.
"Ende se egesgrime aer mec." He sends a wave of energy towards her. At this Arthur runs back and lights a fire that would create a closed barrier, leaving himself on the outside. He hates leaving Merlin like this, but he knows that he has his own part of the plan to carry out. He runs through the forest, one hand held firm on the hilt of his sword. A young man tries to attack Arthur but is quickly struck down. Even from such a far distance he can hear the sounds of Morgana and Merlin fighting.
"It will be fine. I'll come back as soon as I'm done. Merlin will be fine, he has Gwendolyn there with him if he gets into any kind of trouble." He keeps muttering reassurances to himself. He sets out to another clearing, miraculously without being attacked, and stands face to face with a very, very, large dragon.
"Hello young king." Kilgharrah bows respectfully.
"You're the Great Dragon." Even though Arthur knows that the dragon is still alive he still has trouble processing it.
"How astute our young king is." Kilgharrah laughs. "The young warlock sent you here did he not?"
"Yes, but he didn't tell me why." Arthur begins to sound annoyed.
"There is power in names young Pendragon. The young warlock's true name, Emrys means 'immortal'. Our young witch Gwendolyn's true name, Lux, means 'light'. All of those of the prophecy accept their true name at the right time. I have told the young warlock this and that is why you are here. You must accept your destiny as the Once and Future King just as all the others have accepted their own if you wish to keep Camelot from being destroyed. You must accept your true name, Animi, meaning 'courage'."
"I was once called courage, when I went to the perilous lands." Arthur looks at Kilgharrah wondering if there is a connection.
"Indeed you were, the keeper of the bridge was a dwarf, a creature of magic. Many creatures of magic can recognize those of the prophecy on site. Does this mean you accept your true name?"
"I do." Arthur says solemnly, looking determined. He knows the seriousness of what Is going on.
"Go back to the young warlock. You are two sides of the same coin. Neither of you can succeed without the other. Until we meet again, Animi." Kilgharrah flies off towards the direction of the main battle. From what he can see they appear to be winning. Arthur only hopes that the knights and all of the others are fighting their hardest and that when Morgana is defeated, their will still be a future for Camelot and what ever this great destiny is. He runs, feeling stronger, and more determined that ever before. It is an odd sensation, and he knows somewhere in the back of his mind that it's magic. And to be quite honest he doesn't really give a damn. Merlin needs him, and he needs Merlin. There had always been a certain 'rightness' to their friendship and now Arthur had a name for it. Destiny.
So did you like it? Do you want to tell me you liked it or hated it? You know the drill :)