Author's Note: Sorry, I meant to put this in the last chapter. I am sorry I haven't updated in a while but I have been in this Titanic show in a big theatre so can you blame me?

Ah, and before I forget, the last paragraph I have just added in for serial blogger as she has pointed out to me that we really need a last little bit of Gwaine reminiscing before this epic battle (which we are all excited about in this chapter by the way!)

OK, I think that's all I needed to say so I'll shut up and let you read ;D Ah yes, review for me? Please? x

Disclaimer: I still do not own any characters of Shine and the BBC's TV programme Merlin (wish I did!) but any added characters and plotlines were completely my genius! All mistakes and splelnig errrors are also my own, which are not so genius…

Chapter Forty Nine

Restless

Arthur had been sorting through some mind-numbing documents that urgently needed attention after he had put them off for weeks. He had got so caught up in panic about Emrys' possible attack that he had completely forgotten about his other princely duties, even if they were tediously boring. He was just turning onto the umpteenth sheet when he fell off his chair. Something whizzed past his face so fast that his recoil knocked him to the floor. Arthur instantly scrambled back to his feet and gazed round the room, searching for the source of the intrusion.

"Who-who's there?" he asked shakily. He scolded himself for sounding so scared. He swallowed and scoured the room again. There was no one visible in the room. "George, is that you?" It was very unlikely that his over-attentive manservant would be skulking round in the shadows and jumping out at him. "Come out whoever you are. I'm armed!" he yelled. He grabbed a sword off a nearby tabletop and held it defensively in front of him. Whoosh. There it went again. This time Arthur caught himself before he fell over in shock again. He stared round and this time he caught sight of the culprit. A streaking white light darted around the room, bouncing off the walls. Arthur watched it carefully. Just as it came to whiz past him a third time, he shot out his hand and caught it skilfully. It buzzed round in his clutch for a second but then settled. Arthur opened his hand hesitantly and looked down at the thing now sat comfortably in his palm. As soon as his fingers opened from around it, it sprang back out of his grasp but then stopped abruptly in front of him. It circled round, hovering in a circle in front of him. Suddenly, a voice emanated from the light. A familiar voice. A terribly familiar voice. A voice he had been dreading. Emrys' voice.

~xox~

"Hello Arthur. As you may have guessed, this is Emrys. You hurt me Arthur. You hurt me and Ceira badly. Now, I'm hardly going to take this lying down. No, as you must know only too well, that's not like me. Yes, I'm going to fight. Yes, I have an army. Yes, you should be scared Arthur. I'm only giving you this warning because I want you to have at least a chance. You will bring your army to the northern plain just outside of the walls of Camelot. Right now. By no means am I saying you will have even a chance up against my army. But I know what you're like Arthur. Always up for a fight. You won't turn down a battle even if it threatened your life. Which it will. I will make sure it will. I and my army are waiting on the plain as I speak. We're impatient Arthur. We're getting restless. And may I just say Arthur, this is no ordinary army. This is a magical army. Make sure your men are ready. They're going to have to be. See you then Arthur Pendragon."

~xox~

The army had considerably grown since he had gathered it. Each of the groups had brought along even more of their kind. Griffins, Hippogriffs, Spectres, Wyverns, Vampires and Hydras. They all screeched, roared, snarled and hissed with anticipation. Overall, there were at least two hundred and fifty beasts, all ready to fight.

"Thank you all for coming. I have sent a message to Arthur notifying him of our attack. Just be patient. The battle will start soon and then you will get your promised fill of human blood." The Vampires licked their lips hungrily at this. Ceira and Kelpie stood nervously behind him, awaiting some sort of instruction. Emrys stared round at the huge crowd, wondering what to do now. It was all down to a huge waiting game.

~xox~

Arthur hurried along his army tensely. They were all completely bewildered. Arthur could see a few of them whispering to each other, asking if anyone knew what was going on. Arthur was reluctant to tell them until the last moment, he didn't want to make them too apprehensive. But he would have to tell them soon. All his Knights were busy pulling chain mail over their heads and grabbing swords. Arthur was already fully kitted up (thanks to George) and was willing his Knights on. There was still the rest of a whole army to prepare yet.

"Come on everyone! Move it! Grab your armour and weapons and go!" he yelled into the buzzing room. Half of them rushed out of the room, heading towards the courtyard where they would sort themselves out. The rest finally left the room, letting even more file into the room. Various guards were streaming into the armoury from every corner of the castle. Arthur had informed Uther of the message from Emrys and he had acted immediately, ordering each and every guard to go and prepare for the fight.

"Sire. No one has an idea of what's going on. What are we even preparing for?" Lancelot hurriedly asked Arthur as he followed the line filing out of the room.

"We are going to battle with Emrys. He has risen an army. A magical army. We must prepare ourselves and, by any means possible, protect Camelot. Could you help organise all these? They don't have the faintest idea of what they're doing. But don't tell them what they're going up against. Leave that to me."

~xox~

What the hell was Arthur thinking? How on earth did he think he could go up against and even defeat Emrys' army? Of course Lancelot admired the man for trying but come on, a magical army that was sure to have powers way past the defence of a few pointy sticks and swords. This was madness even on Lancelot's ambitious standards. Lancelot was pretty sure that every one of the other Knights would think just the same as him. Although, there was one who would have been up for the challenge with a grin on his face. If Gwaine was here he'd be making jokes about the impossible task and calling Arthur princess behind his back again. Even the thought made an unexpected tear roll down Lancelot's cheek.

"Eh mate, what's up? I mean I know Arthur's sort of throwing us in at the deep end here with the whole I'm-gonna-keep-them-completely-in-the-dark-about-what-the-hell's-happening thing here but didn't think it was enough to bring even you to tears." Delmar gave a weak smile in an attempt to cheer Lancelot up. It didn't exactly work but it was a good attempt so he offered a frail smile back.

"Just remembering Gwaine, that's all. It's times like these that we really need him around," he sighed, wiping another tear trail from his face.

"Yeah, but this is what this is all about. Look, I've got a feeling that this whole thing has something to do with Emrys. So, if I'm right, we need to go and get ready as quick as we can so we can go and kick his ar-"

"Okay then! Pass us a sword will you?"

Delmar really had no idea about what sort of a battle they were about to walk into…

~xox~

Author's Note: Review? Please? I gave you a double-update, does that earn me a review? Even an ickle one? x