Beware the Fury of a Patient Man

by Hela's Hand

Season 5 AU. The battle of Camlann was lost, and Morgana with her adopted son rule Camelot. She executed the rightful Queen, the loyal knights, and any who tried to revolt in the square. She had won the battle, but she lost the war by succumbing to her ego and saving Merlin for last. - Dark Merlin, Out of Character(s), Character Deaths -

7. Chapter 7

Author's Note – I'm back, baby! (You'll soon be wishing I wasn't)

No seriously, you'll be wishing I wasn't. I said *curse* this and *curse* that and proofread this about thrice (usually do it about six or seven when it's this long).

Take breaks while you read cause this is the longest (almost nine thousand and five hundred words) and the one that will probably cause a revolt and a unity anger in everyone the likes of which was never seen before or again (*snort* like this story's that important).

Warning and Disclaimer same as before:

Well, there is blood (so much so that I might be reaching M level). So I advise, if you can't handle the words 'pouring blood', then why are you reading a T story? (Don't be mean)

This quote's for funsies:

"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." – Game of Thrones (TV)

And let the nervousness set in...there we go...

* ~ "I won't apologize, for the mess that you're in. I'm gonna hide my eyes, from your crimson sin. No sacrifice, can make atonement again. The blood is on your hands, you should be ashamed." ~ *

"John and Madeline Travers," Merlin said, "step forward." He stared at the two as they walked, keeping his magic from lashing out and strangling the man.

"Make no mistake Lord and Lady Travers," Constantine began as the wind blew, "you have served me well these past few years. The information about the lower towns and the state of everything here were much appreciated. And we are grateful for you feeding false information about the last King Harold. May the warrior rest in his Heaven."

Merlin put his hand over his heart as he bowed his head, repeating the prayer with the others. He intertwined his fingers and laid his hands down, "however, the good you have done for us does not wipe out the horrible deed you have done."

The man blinked his eyes once before looked to Constantine as he spoke, "the death of the traitor's sons was not what I wanted."

'Nor I,' Merlin thought as the crowd muttered in disagreement.

"To have your men barged into the temples and massacre everyone inside was disgraceful."

"They were brought men."

"Who followed your orders," Merlin stated. "Are we to assume you have no control over them?"

"Brought men," John Travers repeated, "who sell their swords for gold."

"Nonetheless," Constantine said, "you cannot go unpunished for their crimes. You and your children are hereby exiled to the North, stripped of your titles. You may only take half of the gold you own. Be gone by nightfall, or be thrown out of the city with nothing."

Merlin watched the couple gave a bow after a moment and left. "If there are no more matters at hand," the king said, "I wish to go to the lower towns."

The crowd muttered in excitement as Constantine waited.

He bid them farewell when no objections were raised and walking down the stairs. Merlin watched him leave then turned and walked to his room to change before walking back to the courtyard.

He looked at the barrels that were out in the open, some filled with wooden toys, some with clothes, the rest with fruits and vegetables. Servants carrying pots of steaming soup walked in and placed them down on tables in the courtyard.

"I would rather they lived like this before," Constantine said as he walked up to him.

Merlin saw the conflict in his eyes, "Morgana let them starve. She cared more for the iron seat than them. Unlike you."

"Why did she allow them to..."

Merlin looked away from his blue eyes, "she was spiteful. Filled with years of hatred of those who persecuted those with magic. This must have been her way of vengeance."

He heard Constantine hum and stole a glance at his face. Constantine was staring at something in the distance, his fingers on the locket. "How did you get them? I never asked, because..."

Merlin stared at the locket, the fires making the gold shimmer. "Morgana," he spat out. He felt a lump grow in his throat as the night appeared in his mind. The growing voices, his stopping heart, his failure cold and stiff before him.

He closed his eyes as he tried to separate his mind as he recounted that moment, "thought it would...be 'kind', to let me see him one last time. And I was allowed to, 'keep' him, in my cell, for the night, before she...'buried' him. That was her way of 'being merciful'. More than I 'deserve'..."

Constantine was silent.

He forced himself to listen to the few children singing while playing with the dolls instead of the screams, "it's always summer. Under the sea. I know I know. Oh oh, oh. The birds have scales. And the fish take wing. I know I know. Oh oh, oh..."

Merlin groaned as the memories were finally put away, only the singing and the sound of happy civilians were in his ears now. "I know I know. Oh oh, oh. The stones crack open. The water burned. The shadows come, to dance, my Lord. The shadows come, to play..."

"A chilling song, isn't it?" Constantine commented when he opened his eyes.

"I find it rather enjoyable," Merlin said, his fingers twitching. "Dark events sung to make them less dark are always welcomed."

Constantine hummed.

He looked at the king when he caught a strangled tone on the note. He didn't look at him, just motioned to follow. Merlin stared as they walked into the abandoned archway and waited for Constantine's clouded face to clear.

"You think my father would be proud?"

Merlin almost snorted like a horse, "there is doubt? This whole island is under your rule, as is your homeland. Iulianus is more than proud."

"I don't miss him."

Merlin looked at the passing happy civilians before looking at him, "what have I told you about talking before thinking?"

"You were more of a father to me than him. I do love him, and I knew he loved me, but he was always busy, working with the senate and you. You were with me for everything, Merlin. My first hunt, my first ride, my first craft...You hardly left my side while I grasped my footing. But you are about to leave for a long time, aren't you?"

Merlin looked away as he let out a chuckle, "clever boy. Letting me get all emotional so I couldn't see your other hand. Yes, I am leaving."

"For how long?"

"If I have my way, I'll be back before the next big festival."

Constantine swallowed, "a year."

Merlin took a hold of his arm, "I taught you well, as did your father. You were bred and raised to rule, you were born for this."

He looked at him, "I thought you would have at least stayed with me for the first few years."

"You don't need me," Merlin told him honestly. "You're old enough to rule by yourself, and know that you need to do your duty."

Constantine tensed at the word, "but not for another year or two...right?"

"It would be best to pick the right noble woman as soon as possible. A women who would show the people that you mean to keep your interest in this land."

Merlin watched him look away, a dark look on his face. He grabbed him by his chin and made him face him, "you will do your duty, won't you?"

Constantine's face became marble, a familiar face he found himself missing. "I promised, didn't I?" He sighed, "I'll marry a noble woman and produce an heir."

Merlin brought his head to him and spoke into his hair, "that's all I ask of you, my little warrior."

He kissed the top of his bowed head, making him groan in displeasure. "Someone might have seen that..." Constantine looked to the side with red cheeks.

"Only me, Caesar."

Merlin felt his smile fall as he recognized the voice. Constantine greeted the intruder, "Akakios."

"Father, Caesar."

"Is there a reason you are here?" Merlin asked, realizing that he spoke the other language.

The recently freed slave glanced at him, "I thought you might enjoy knowing that the traitor has woken, completely."

"His mind is healed?" Constantine asked as Merlin felt his magic spread around him.

"The Healer did what she could. The only repercussion is that some of his childhood memories are gone forever."

"Pity," Merlin said as he reigned in his magic. "And he is awake?"

"He was inspecting the water and food he was given as I left."

"Then he will be executed at dawn," Constantine said with a strong tone.

Akakios frowned, "no trail?"

"There is no need for one," Merlin said. "I was there when he first became an oath breaker, and the people all know of his deeds."

He stared at him before looking at Constantine, "will you not let God have a listen to his words?"

"Mordred worships the triple goddess," Merlin told him. "They would be favoritism in a trial, whether it's with words or combat."

"Then let another God judge him – "

"Their powers can't reach here. The triple goddess saw to that."

"But surly the Father of – "

"Enough," Constantine all but roared in both their faces. "He will be executed tomorrow."

"Constantine...Very well."

Merlin looked at the man, "why are you so set on him getting a trail?"

He looked him in the eye, "shouldn't you?"

"I was, but fate doesn't seem fit to give him one."

Akakios glanced down at those words, "he's been cursed since birth, like me."

Merlin tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean?" Constantine asked.

"He was born in May, if what the Healer told me was true. So he was cursed."

Merlin stared before sighing, "alright, you have my interest. Why is he cursed?"

"Woman are important to the Old Religion of this land," the former slave began, "they create life. Men are seen as different, for they can only destroy. For a male to be born in the month of fertilization is seen as a cruel trick by the Triple Goddess."

"A cruel trick?" Half of Constantine's face raised in a familiar mocking face, "a baby is seen as a cruel trick?"

"A boy," Akakios corrected. "And he is prayed over by his parents before they go to a priestess and she flips a coin."

"They kill him if the flip is wrong?" Merlin guessed. Constantine turned to stare at him. "It's only a guess," Merlin defended.

"No, they don't kill him. The parents abandon their cursed child."

"My guess was kinder."

"Why?" Constantine asked. "What's the flip for?"

"To see what his future holds. If it's good, then the boy will be great. Wrong, he will be mad."

"As in killing children and their kings," Merlin finished for him. "Well, we see what hand he got dealt."

"Merlin."

"So how are you cursed?" Merlin asked. "You had a coin flip too?"

"I split my mother when she gave birth to me." He winced, feeling Constantine's gaze. "A few years passed and my curse took both my father and brothers from me. After I was sold to slavery, on the day of my birth, the Roman empire fell – "

"That's enough," Merlin told him. "You don't have to say anymore..."

"I'll go see the traitor," Constantine said after a long silence.

"I'll go," Merlin said. "You stay with your people."

Constantine looked to argue, but left without a glance back.

He watched him walking up to a group of children and played a ball game with them for a while before walking into a crowd, where he disappeared from view.

"Protect him while I'm gone," Merlin told Akakios. "He's the only one I have left."

He felt his gaze, "I always do."

Merlin turned to him, "I'll burn you if you don't."

Akakios smiled, "not if I kill myself first for failing."

Merlin felt his lips give a twitching smile, "you better. Succubus."

His eyes narrowed in annoyance, "please don't associate me with those disgusting witless creatures, Pyromancer."

Merlin stared before nodding at him and left for the cells, the succubus following behind him.

* ~ "So now I say goodbye, and this to you I pledge. Take your final step, and plummet over the edge. You listened to the snake, I won't take any blame. Now here's my breath in your face, I leave you up in flames." ~ *

"I thought you said he was awake?"

"He was, Father of Dragons. I watched him move."

"We don't have time for foolish mistakes like this. Do try to speak some truth for once in your life."

"His eyes are moving below his lids, Priest."

"I'm not a priest...do I need to order you all to leave?"

"Forgive us, Father."

Mordred started to open his eyes, but the lights were too bright for him. He heard someone walk and blow. The lights dimmed.

He opened his eyes and saw a hazy form of someone dressed in red. He blinked and reached for his sword after his vision cleared. It was gone.

"If I wanted to kill you," Merlin said with an amused tone, "don't you think I would have done it before you woke up."

"You would want me to suffer," Mordred told him, remembering his words.

Merlin looked away for a moment, "for a moment. But I'm not Morgana. I kill my enemies, not play with them."

"So you came to tell me I'm being executed."

Merlin looked away, seeming to fight with himself. Mordred started to worry. He looked back at him, "I would rather let you go."

Mordred stared in confusion, "what?"

"If I let you go, you would no doubt find Morgana for me."

"Killing the both of us," Mordred finished. "How did she escape?"

"Travers," Merlin spat out like a curse. "He somehow managed to get fooled by the witch, even though he spend years with her. I shouldn't be that surprised, she perfected the art of trickery."

Mordred felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise as he let growl out the end of his sentence. "Why aren't you searching for her?"

His cold eyes looked at him, "and waste men on a hopeless endeavor? Let her run, she won't stay hidden for long. Not with all of her allies firmly in Constantine hands."

"Not yours?"

"After your execution I'm leaving Camelot. I don't know if I'll die completing the task, and I don't need backstabbing in the newly formed united kingdoms."

Mordred started to sit up, "so you've come to gloat that you won and give me a similar scar?"

"I haven't won until the witch is dead," Merlin told him, his hand reaching up to rub his throat.

"Then why are you here?"

Merlin looked at him, his eyes showed racing, unreadable thoughts. He looked to the side and made a painful face. "To tell you, that I'm," he smoothed out his face with a sigh, "sorry."

Mordred felt his blood start to cool, "what are you apologizing for?"

He glanced over, his face showing nothing. "I didn't mean for your children to be killed," Merlin told him.

Mordred stared at him, his blood seeming to still as the words repeated in his head. He felt his mouth open to speak. "I'm sure you didn't," he managed to say through his teeth.

Merlin looked over to him, his eyes quickly darting over him. "I thought you would ask how first...I don't lie, Mordred. I didn't want them to die...

I wanted them near, so they people could see that Constantine was generous and fair. That he would take in even his most hated enemies' children. With them dead it creates a black mark on Constantine's crown."

Mordred stared at him, 'a black mark?' He moved his legs over the bed and stood. Merlin looked at him, his eyes showing confusing and worry. 'There will be something else in his eyes in a moment,' he thought as anger rose in him.

"I stabbed Arthur near his heart," Mordred began, "and a shard broke off inside him." Merlin stood straighter, his eyes unwavering. Mordred walked closer as he said, "I could see on his face that he felt it. Felt, as it inched slowly towards his heart, and when it finally pierced through, I watched as the light left his eyes. Pity you were not there to see it."

Mordred got what he wanted. His fingers twitched as he leaned to turn, his filling eyes shaking in unbroken remorse. Merlin looked at him quickly, emotions hidden behind the wet wall.

"Pity to you as well. While, Arthur, was a knight trained for the day he would die, you children must have been scared as the swords plunged through their small bodies. Do you think they could silently suffered as he did?

If only you or their mother were there to comfort them. But you were here, and their mother was entertaining our warriors. I've heard the passing soldiers tell of how the coins slipped threw her nimble fingers."

Mordred barely felt his nails digging into his palms as they stared at each other, his vision wavering with his fury. Merlin moved his gaze with a look, walking out of the door. He slammed it shut, but kept his hand on the bars as his face was hidden.

Mordred felt the shift in the air as Merlin looked at him, his eyes still filled to the brim. He spoke softly, "your children practiced your religion, correct?"

Mordred almost blinked, but stopped himself. He answered, "yes."

"...I'll send a prayer for your goddess, then, for their restful peace." Mordred stared before looking for falsehood. He found none. "...perhaps this time she'll listen," Merlin said with a broken smile.

Mordred saw his eyes before he turned and walked away. He blinked and walked to the bed, sitting as he thought.

He heard footsteps after a while and looked up, "Constantine. What are you doing here?"

"My cousin trusted you, this city trusted you. I want to know why you broke your oath."

Mordred turned from him, "Merlin didn't tell you."

"He only told me that you betrayed everyone for someone who committed treason."

He looked when he heard his tone. "You would not do the same?" he asked, curious.

"No one is above the law," Constantine said with clarity. "Not the one I love, nor me."

Mordred stared into his eyes, "says all before they are put on the lines."

Constantine looked at him and opened his mouth to speak, but the bells started to ring.

Constantine glanced at the ground before staring at him, "there are some who know that you cared for this city and it's people. I cannot acknowledge this, nor spare your life because of it. The law and Merlin won't allow it."

Mordred gave a short nod, "I know."

Constantine had that same trouble looked that Arthur used to have. Stone face, shrouded eyes. "History will only remember you as a traitor, heartless and cruel. Perhaps, when Merlin finds it in his heart to forgive your crimes, your name won't be so tainted."

"None of that matters," Mordred told him.

Constantine looked over at him, "I thought not. I am sorry for the death of your children. Their blood is on my hands."

Mordred looked away. He listened as the king left when he didn't speak another word.

Mordred heard the bells ring numbly in his mind, and heard the speaker spoke of his crimes as the noose was put around his neck. He heard them ask if he wanted to say his last words, but he had none to say.

Mordred looked at the crowd as they shouted, all their faces seemed healthy and full. 'He treats them well,' he thought as he heard his executor walk to the lever.

He saw a dark head that wasn't moving and looked down.

The boy greeted him with scared, wet eyes, skin pale and blue. His tiny chest had an arrow through it, shreds of muscle hanging on to the metal and wood.

His throat was the worst, a thin red mark that bled, more so when the boy opened his mouth. He tried to speak, but only more blood poured out.

No one seemed to noticed that the boy needed help, that he was bleeding on Camelot's white cobblestone floor. No one seemed to notice that his eyes were silently asking for help, that he didn't know why he was getting colder.

Mordred tried to speak as the ground disappeared under his feet.

"Stay right where you are, don't be so foolish to try, any courageous moves, you won't be saving lives. I didn't do all I've done, for you to put me to shame. Now in your final hour, my legacy remains." ~ *

Merlin glanced at the general before sneaking past the lines.

He found her with a boy, almost sixteen, talking over a map. He watched to see if anyone will disturb them before using a tiny part of his magic to entice the boy.

He saw through the flap how the boy talked to Morgana after a while, and how her eyes seemed to glow at whatever prospect the boy told her.

'Probably a magical item,' Merlin thought as he followed behind them in his bird form.

It was only when they were far away from the camp where no one could hear if they scream that he flew Morgana into a tree, knocking her out for a while. The boy turned, surprised, as his horse almost bucked him off. The boy saw him and got off his horse, which bolted after the other horse.

"You're Mordred's servant, correct?" Merlin asked when he was closer and saw his face properly.

"Yes," the boy said, then bashfully, "my name is Vivian, my Lord."

"Like the French bishop?"

"Y – Yes."

"Strange..." Merlin glanced at Morgana's still form, "I'm surprised she was able to form this large of an army so quickly."

"I helped," the boy said quickly.

Merlin stared into his eyes, "did you?"

"Yes," the boy eagerly began with a quivering voice, "I remember what my master used to say, about how the Queen would have spurts of anger and kill or maim her allies, and knew that she would not be able to get the army by herself. So I went around and group them all and brought them to her."

Merlin gave the boy a smile, who blushed furiously. He tilted his head to hear if Morgana was stirring. "You are so creative," he told the boy when he heard nothing. "A prodigy in the making."

The boy looked ready to burst with the praise. 'Like a dog who just chased off rats.' Merlin brought his hand up to the enchanted boy's face, twirling a few locks with his fingers. "Did you managed to get everyone who voiced their disdain for the new king of Camelot?"

"Yes," the drowning boy said. "It took some convincing for some, but I managed to get them on her side. The Queen needed a lot of men, after all."

"A prodigy indeed," Merlin said truthfully, his mind at ease.

The boy smiled with shining eyes. 'Such a dog,' Merlin thought as he brought his other hand to his face. He whispered a spell to give him a quick, painless death, and let his lifeless body fall from his fingers. 'Poor child playing at war,' Merlin thought as he turned to Morgana, who was waking up.

He almost smiled at her face, "I hope you don't run." She fired a spell and he swat it away, "I knew if I let you run around long enough you would attract the traitors. You are far too predictable – "

He used his staff to block her spell, charging the gem with lightning. He flipped it over and fired. Merlin took out the dagger as he watched her body violently twitch, trying to fight his magic with her own.

He walked up to her and, as she finally broke through and tried to move, stabbed her in the arm. Merlin tried not to smile at the protruding dagger in her flesh, feeling himself being thrown backwards by her magic.

The ground was hard, and a rock dug into his back, but he barely felt it through his relief. He heard her walk forward as he brought himself up with his arms, seeing the dagger in her hands.

She bent down and dug the dagger hard enough on his neck. If his neck wasn't as rough as it was it would have bleed. He watched the blood pour from her wound. "Look at me when I'm talking to you, Merlin. What were you thinking, trying to kill me with a normal blade?"

Merlin looked up at her, letting his smile spread. She stared down at him in confusion before they cleared.

He saw her face twist in pain, grabbing her arm in shock. Merlin watched her eyes flash gold before going out. He felt himself start to laugh in relief at the panic on her face.

"Chimera venom," he told her as he stood with his staff, pulling his sense together. He felt his throat, "it is said to weaken even the gods themselves. Not unlikely, since the venom attacks the strongest thing in the body. In your case, it's your magic."

Morgana tried to attack him with his dagger and he grabbed her wrist, hitting her under her jaw with his staff. She fell backwards and tried to stand with shaking limbs.

"After that is dead," he continued, "the venom goes after the central system in the bitten's body, viciously.."

He stared in silence and was rewarded as blood started to leak from her wide eyes, "the vulnerable spine. Your limbs will be rendered useless in a moment but, with how you're struggling, I suspect they will stop working right about now."

He watched her stretch her hand out to him, her limps shaking. She looked pitiful, and he saw a glimpse of his old friend underneath. "Emrys," she spoke softly, "please."

'Please!'

He gritted his teeth as his magic lashed out at the sky. Merlin dug his staff into the ground. "Was this not what you wanted, Morgana?" he asked her. "With Constantine, magic will be accepted in the entire world.

We may never rule this land for eternity like you dreamed, but we will never again be hunted down like animals. We'll be free...pity you won't get to see that day. For Chimera venom, once inside the body, can only be cured by the Chimera themselves. If only the poor beast that gave me the poison wasn't killed by a wyvern."

Morgana's hand fell to the ground. "...Chimera poison is strange," he said as he watched, "it's searingly painful to the bitten, yet if injected by the victims own hands, they never feel pain. Not mentally, or physically. Even their souls cannot feel. They also can choose when the poison takes their life during the open window, all painless of course."

"You – All of it."

"I treated the men and women who served under me with love and care, unlike you, who only cared for the iron upon which you sat your arse." Merlin stared at her as recognition was cleared from her eyes.

His mind went back to his dark days, "I prayed to whatever god out there to hear my words. If Morgana wanted to rule, let her rule over charred bones and emaciated bodies. Let her be the Queen of Ashes...

I got an answer in the form of eggs, given to me by Constantine's birth mother, who sold them to me with not a notion to how much they were worth. She only wanted the food I managed to get my hands – "

Screams made him turned his head to them. He heard Constantine's army yell their battle cry. He smiled and looked down at her as the screams grew louder, "hear them, Morgana? That is the sound of your triple goddess dying."

Her fading eyes shook, though his didn't know if it was to glare or beg again. He watched them close, her chest rising up and down was almost unnoticeable. "You might find comfort in knowing that the poison doesn't kill you until the third day. Until then, you will be able to hear and feel everything around you."

Merlin bent over to pick up the fallen dagger. He cleaned the mess off with her dress and examined it. "Such beastly creatures," Merlin said as he brought the knife to her unmarked neck, "they like to play with their food before devouring the bones. You might have gotten along with them if you ever met one."

He looked up at her face, sighing at her bloody face. "You need to have proper care for yourself," he told her as he cut off some cloth from his sleeve. He stared to wipe her face, "you're not in the woods anymore. You need to be a proper lady, even in death."

When he wiped off the last bit of blood he threw the cloth to the side. "There," he said as he stood up, "now you can die with dignity." He looked at the pink stains under her eyes, somehow accenting her beauty. 'Only you,' he thought.

He finally smiling at the reversal as he put the dagger away, 'one last twist of the knife'. "I will grant you what you have granted me," he told her still form, "mercy."

He turned and left her in the clearing, hearing the traitor army retreat.

"Father!" many exclaimed in greeting as he walked up to them.

He looked at them all before speaking, "the witch is dead."

They all cheered as one, banging their spears or swords on their shields. He closed his eyes and saw a face he didn't want to see at that moment.

He opened his eyes, "after them. I want their heads."

The soldiers nodded and went to hunt them down. Merlin looked at the wounded and helped the ones who stayed in healing them. He left when he saw the general walk by with the prisoners.

"Father," the general greeting as he led the captured with a chain.

"The witch's body is in that direction," he said him while pointing, "have it obtained and bring it back to Camelot."

"Father?"

"Constantine would want to bury her no doubt," he told him. "Camelot is two days away, correct?"

"If we make haste."

"Then lets make haste. I have enough of the smell a rotting corpse gives off."

He watched the general nod and give the chain to a soldier before walking into the wood, barking orders to fellow soldiers that passed.

"The balance is almost complete."

He looked to her, "live or die?"

"Live. If only one of the two and your king's son have one child, then balance will be restored at last."

"I am sure the smaller one is sterile. Will you..."

"I'll have their heads and bring you their hearts as a prize," she promised him.

Merlin smiled at her, "thank you, Gaea."

"And I am sure you would want your king brought to you immediately afterward?"

Merlin paused, "I...would like to know that he is doing well."

She stared at him before disappearing.

He stared at the spot before traveling with the group on the journey home, exhausted from relief and buried guilt. He didn't even take off his clothes as he collapsed on his bed, his dreams hallow and contorted.

"You slept in and out for four days," Jorah told him as she handed him an elixir when he woke. "You shouldn't have exerted yourself."

"But I was rewarded, wasn't I?" he asked while he moved his feet to the edge of the bed. He felt a weight on his chest and looked down. He saw three polished stones that was tied around his neck.

He smiled, "the nightmare is finally over."

"Your life was almost over."

Merlin closed his eyes for a moment before staring at her, "shouldn't you be up north?"

"I wanted to see you return safely before leaving, Father."

"Touching," Merlin whispered as he stood up.

"Your heir is at the finished church," she told him as she tried to help him dress. "You shouldn't strain your muscles," she told him as he tried to push her away.

He sighed before complying.

"I wish you safe travels," he said as he opened the door. He took a step out, "I hope that the two little orphans that you have waiting for you in the north are not traumatized."

He felt the woman tense and looked back to see her bow her head in shame, "I..."

"There is no point in giving the milk back to the cow," he told her. "May you live happily in the north for the rest of your lives."

He shut the door and went to the church, feeling a small crowd following behind him.

Merlin stared at the towers, their forms imposing yet inviting. He entered the church, looking at the stained glass and statues in the pillars.

'He outdid himself,' Merlin thought as he walked further in, seeing pale, mostly uncolored statues of warriors and saints, the wind wrapping around his neck.

Constantine wore Camelot's armor, looking every bit of his father as he stood and talked with the visitors. Merlin swallowed with pride as the cape flowed behind him from the wind. Constantine saw him and gave an almost unnoticeable nod as he continued to talk.

He spoke to him when the group left, "I'm glad your awake but you should be resting."

"I had to see what you've done."

His smile was blinding as he motioned for him to follow. Merlin saw how he tried to move the cape gracefully, "is the cape a problem?"

Constantine leaned over and whispered, "it gets stuck everywhere. What were the knights thinking of having their capes so long?"

Merlin tried not to show his amusement as they walked, but the look Constantine sent him said it all. They walked through an archway and Merlin noticed the carved ivory winged humans, which Constantine told him were called angels.

"Here are the crypts," Constantine told him. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Merlin turned in a circle as he stared up, the ceiling opened and letting the sun in. "A glass," he said, then motioned for him to follow.

The townsfolk bowed as they passed. It was empty on the first two levels, but the third had some stone graves. Merlin stiffened as he saw Uther's grave marker, feeling Constantine's gaze along with the small group of civilians there.

He swallowed and walked forward, "I'm to assume that his son and daughter are here?"

Constantine said nothing for a moment. "I believe it proper that their bodies lay to rest here. No matter what one has done in their life, all deserve a grave."

"The sea makes a proper grave," Merlin stated as he stared at Morgana's maker further down. "What kind of burial did you give her?"

"A burial that those who practice the Triple Goddess religion would have," the ash covered priest answered. "As much as we could give her, given the circumstances."

He hummed as his gaze moved.

He tried not to stare at Arthur's for too long, instead looking at the pillars where a bowl filled with flowers were burning. Then he looked at the angel statues in the pillars on the other side, the sun coming from the windows and the ceiling making their outstretched arms shine whiter, but somewhat blurred.

'Oh...' He looked down and blinked, swallowing. "Did you bury the locket?"

"Yes," Constantine answered. "I will miss having him around my neck, but this is his proper resting place. His wife and the guards are buried adjacent from here, if you wish to visit them...as is your mother." Merlin moved his eyes forward. "I'm sure Arthur wouldn't mind having your mother's soul find rest here."

"...Her body wasn't found either?"

"Many bodies were found, Father," the ash priest answered. "None could be identified."

"Their crypts are over in those rooms," Constantine spoke while motioning to an archway on the ground floor.

Merlin glanced over, then swallowed. "Would you leave me, for a moment?"

He heard many say goodbye as they were led away by Constantine. "I'll come back," he promised before he disappeared from view.

He walked into the grove and sat down on the stone bench, staring up at the tall ceiling. He looked to the side and saw that the opening was an upside down V shape.

Merlin looked down, feeling his emotions start to take over without his consent. 'Just say goodbye,' he told himself, 'say goodbye and continue to live in this nightmare without regret.'

He turned sharply to the side as he heard someone walk near. He heard the familiar tingle of chain mail and waited for the knight to pass. Instead, he heard the person pause at the doorway. 'What's he doing?' he thought as he looked away to hid his eyes.

Merlin sucked in a breath and looked up slightly as he heard the person walk in, watching him sit. He saw the armor of Camelot's knights and familiar locking fingers.

He looked down and greeted with a tight throat, "Constantine."

He said nothing.

Merlin couldn't even hear him breath over his sniffling. "Odd, isn't it? All these years and I still have tears to shed."

He heard Constantine shift and his unspoken statement. "I did, whenever I could..."

He felt Constantine's stare before hearing him stand up. Merlin moved his head to the side as he felt him sit down. A cold arm placed itself on his shoulder.

Merlin leaned his head onto the freezing metal, "you'll like a son to me, you know that right? You'll probably the only son I'll have. I'm sorry that I never told you that enough.

I just, I'm not well, in the head. Most of the time I see only soldiers and objects that I can use. I forget that what I am using is someone human, who has feeling, and might have a better solution than I do...I'm sorry."

He felt Constantine's gaze on him. "You think your afterlife would have a place for me?" Merlin asked. Constantine grabbed him hard, his shoulder stinging, "I'm not – everyone dies, in the end. I just want to know if I would have a home there."

The arm loosened after a moment. Merlin brought a hand up to his back and pulled his heir close, "I wouldn't taint my past life's memory with the act, I..."

Merlin paused at the liquid moving through his fingers. He brought it up and saw the cold blood drip from his palm. 'Cold...' He swallowed, then shut his eyes as he felt the body move.

He knew he was staring at him, wanting him to look at him, but he couldn't. "I - you can't be here," Merlin said, wanting his voice to stop shaking, "go a – aw – lea..."

He couldn't say it. His magic danced around, wrapping around the dead man in front of him. 'Dead.' "The dead shouldn't mingle with the living," Merlin recited.

He felt his magic flinch, receding back to him warningly. He felt the light breeze on his hand, fading slowly the longer he ignored it.

It was only when he felt it almost disappear that he used his magic to feed the dead man. He felt his magic enter the man on his orders, reluctantly, before recognizing the soul. The hand on his grew heavier, the thumb pressing on his palm started to sting.

"I know what you've done." Merlin wanted to die when he heard his voice. 'It's been so long,' he thought before repeating the words in his head. "I saw, and heard, everything."

Merlin swallowed, "everything?" He flinched at his own small voice.

"Nothing is hidden from the dead," he said with an accusing tone. "Not your magic, not the lives you've taken, not the lies, nothing."

Merlin felt anger rise within him, true anger, the likes of which he haven't felt since he left his homeland. He tore away from him and stood with his back turned away from him.

"Don't speak as if you know what was going though my head," he said through almost clenched teeth. "I did what I had to do to keep you alive, and when you died, I made sure your name and legacy wouldn't fade in the wind."

"A legacy built on the lives of innocents."

Merlin almost turned his head, "no regime is built on dirt and with carved stones. Their foundations are built on corpses and graves, built up with their bones and tears..."

He wanted to look at Arthur, but he was scared. Scared that how he would look at him, seeing him looked at him like he was a monster. 'But I am a monster. I just don't want to know that he sees me as one.'

"You could have won without using your...you had the army, you trained a young man to be the perfect soldier, you had the country's love for returning their lands from a conqueror, you had the power to win this war without harming my people!"

Merlin tried not to flinch at his tone.

"She had magic," he began as he pulled his shattered thoughts together, "her power grew stronger each day with the sorcerers who walked through her gates and offered their wisdom in spells and potions. If you think I could fight her on my own, your way – "

"You put a curse on the lower region of Camelot and the fields. Any who so much as thought that Morgana was a good Queen, or that she was generous, was killed by the plague, leaving only those who hated her and wanted her head on a spike."

Merlin crossed his arms, "thank you for telling me what I've already know and done...is she with you?"

"...she is there, in the endless darkness, but she is avoiding..."

Merlin turned towards his tone, "did you watch?"

"I told you. Nothing is hidden from the dead."

"Did she," Merlin licked his dry lips, "did she suffer horribly?"

He felt his hard stare, "the poison gave her no comfort, not even when her heart stopped. I can tell that she is suffering from pains that should not be, clawing at an imaginary block of stone while gasping."

"Is she? How horrible."

"You didn't have to make her suffer. You should have slit her – "

"I didn't have to make her suffer?" Merlin heard himself as from far away. His anger made him turn and stare at his once living king, feeling his magic swarm. "Should I have let her run, like you always seem to do? Should I have kept her magic locked away and kept her by my side, like your father did?

She needed to die, in agony, suffering as she has caused all of us to suffer. Or did you not remember what happened to your father when Morgana was done with him, even his soul was twisted by her. How about Gwen, when the weight of her brother's death finally hit? Think about how Morgana made her scream before you dare tell me that your beloved sister doesn't need to suffer every singe moment!"

Arthur kept his gaze before saying with a tight voice, "you're destroying the temple."

Merlin blinked his dry eyes, feeling his magic lashing at everyone and everything. He brought it back, turning from Arthur and walking out of the room. He looked at the cracked walls, turning around to see how some angels had their arms and wings off.

He looked over at the chattering people down below and spoke with a clear yet crackling voice, "forgive me." They looked up at him, "I was overcome with the past, of my failures to the fallen king and my friends. I hope you don't mind if I ask for you to leave while I try to say goodbye once more."

The people slowly walked out while talking amongst themselves, looking back as he used his magic to fix the cracks and the statues.

"The poor Father," he heard an elderly noble woman say, "so much had happened in his life. Let it not be said that the former manservant wasn't loyal."

Merlin fixed the last wall before looking at the doorway. 'He might not be there,' he told himself as he walked back in.

Arthur was still there.

"You don't have any siblings, you couldn't understand – "

"Lancelot was like a brother to me, and even my naive self knew that he had to be gotten rid of when he came back to Camelot." Arthur was silent, whether it was from him trying to forget the past or to make Merlin think about his crimes he didn't know.

Merlin took a breath, "I saw you as my brother as well. Even if you didn't think the same about me...I wanted you to know that, before you go back."

He heard an angered sigh, then a strong hand turn his head. He quickly looked as far to the side as he could.

"Merlin."

He twitched at the tone. He glanced over to his shoulder, seeing a glimpse of his blond hair and ear. He kept his stare there for a moment, moving when he felt his cold thumb and finger pushed on his jaw. Merlin's eyes looked at his chin, "that's what was wrong."

He saw the lines on Arthur's face wrinkle, an expression he was once used to seeing. They smoothed into that familiar marble face that Constantine perfected.

He finally looked up into Arthur's eyes, "don't give up like that again."

Merlin closed his shaking eyes, not surprised when they refused to open again. "I didn't give up."

"You were going to let Morgana kill you," Arthur's fainter voice said. "I count that as giving up."

"Would that have been such a bad thing? You saw that I did some horrible, dishonorable things." Merlin felt himself seethed once more, feeling the fingers leave. "Do you really want me to help rule with the new king, your son? I might taint his good mind with my magic – "

"I see. Twelve years and you are still as stupid as ever." Merlin closed his mouth at his far away tone. "If you do see me as your brother, then stay alive. For yourself, and my...son..."

He slowly looked up and saw how pale Arthur was. "You'll be leaving soon," he told him. "Anything else you would like to say?"

"Just one more thing." Merlin looked at the hand he put on his shoulder, looking up at him with hesitation. "Why Constantine?"

He felt his face wrinkle, "what?"

Arthur looked away, seeming to be embarrassed. "Considering my father's name and my own, it would seem that you would have named him something similar."

Merlin looked down, "I didn't think about that when Iulianus gave me the honor to name him."

"It's a – strong name, for sure."

Merlin blinked at his tone, "since you're here, how about telling me what you would want him named? He follows that new religion that appeared in the east, and they have a practice of having a second name."

"Well, how about..."

"I'm listening – "

"Quiet, I'm thinking."

"Looks like it hurts." Merlin smiled at his face, "how about I help a bit? Since I was the one who helped bring him into the world and raise him, I should get some recognition in his name, shouldn't I?"

Arthur looked a bit to the left, "then his name would be..."

Merlin read the name on his face after he groaned, "what's wrong with that name. It flows...a bit."

"Do you want him to be mocked for the rest of his life?"

"Well it's not as bad as your name."

"There's nothing wrong with my name."

"Your name is the sound someone makes when they're choking on a chicken bone."

"Like your name is any better. You're named after a flying rat – "

Merlin froze at his sudden cough, feeling the cold blood splat on his face. Arthur looked at him in confusion and shock, blood starting to drip from his mouth. Merlin felt his gaze moved down and saw that mocking wound bleed.

"You're leaving me again..."

He felt a pressure on his shoulder and looked, "I never left."

Merlin slowly blinked before laughing. He looked at Arthur's embarrassed and ego hurt face as he continued, nothing leaving his mouth except chuckles. He had to look away.

"Gods above and below, that was terrible," he finally managed to say. He let out a few more before he turned with a fondly look while saying, "thanks..."

He felt his face fall as he stared at nothing. He looked around before bringing his hands up. They were pale and clean. He wiped his face and only got cold, clear liquid.

'Did I imagine...' Merlin wiped his eyes, clearing his nose with his magic. He took a breath before stepping out, looking to the sides. 'He'd said he'd be back,' he thought as he walked down the curved walkway. 'Did he get crushed by some bits of the temple? Or...I guess the means of his birth is a secret that I won't take to my grave.'

He breathed easy when he saw Constantine with the group, soldiers around him in case one tried to grab the king. He expected to have Constantine turn with the same hateful blue eyes as his father, accusing him in front of everyone and have him be publicly executed on the steps.

But the eyes were kind, not a hint of anger. Merlin gave a greeting as he walked forward. Constantine greeted in kind and they walked together to the castle.

He scoffed when he led him to the training grounds. Constantine smiled at him and tossed him a dull sword. Merlin smiled halfheartedly, feeling his bones ache.

He closed his eyes and called his children. He opened his eyes as their musical shrieks came from up above. The red one knocked over Constantine, roaring happily in his face before taking to the skies with his family.

'The skies are clear for you, my darlings. Free from the one who would lead you astray.' He felt a twinge of guilt at the thought before putting the memories away. He smiled as they flew while the few civilians gawked, 'and if the new goddess of this land is kind, it will stay that way.'

"That was cheating."

Merlin looked at him, "I didn't know there were rules."

"Of course there were rules."

"You didn't specify there were any."

Constantine sighed in defeat, then dodged his attack. "Hey!"

"I'm sorry," Merlin said with a bow, "I didn't know that you forfeited."

Constantine turned his upper half to groan before using it to attack. Merlin easily blocked, "what about being honorable?"

Constantine avoided his strike, "no spoken rules, only implied ones."

Merlin locked blades with him and leaned forward, "welcome son of Iulianus."

Constantine started to frown, "is this a game that is impossible to win?"

"No." Merlin pushed him back and used his magic to pull the sword out of his hand. He took both swords and crossed them over his neck. He mocked the motion of cutting off his head, sticking the swords in the dirt. "But you'll know when you've lost," he whispered to him.

Merlin stood straight and held his hand out for Constantine to take it. He looked at his hand and grabbed it, masking his face as he met his eyes.

"Everyone this time?" Constantine asked.

"The advisers will lie to you, your future wife will no doubt lie to you, the peasants will lie to you. I will lie to you. Learn to spot the lies and play this kingly game."

"Not win this time?"

Merlin smiled to keep the guards that were far away from wondering, "no man lives forever. Not kings, not knights, not warlocks. All that last are our names...

It's our duty to make sure that they are remembered. As our thrones rot, as our crowns rust, as the bones under our feet blow in the wind, we must preserve our legacy."

Constantine looked at him with his blue eyes, showing that he understood. The boy king suddenly smiled and hooked an arm around his neck, gripping his hair slightly as he led him forward.

"I'll make sure that we have a proper fight later," Constantine said as they walked down the hall.

"Properly fighting would leave one of us dead," Merlin told him.

"Very well...how about a tournament? This country hasn't had a large one in a long time, and I'm sure the civilians would love to see us pound each other into the ground."

"Yes, I'm sure they would love to see the knights swallow each others' swords."

"Merlin!"

* ~ "You won't forget my name...You won't forget my name..." – Charlie Winston: My Name ~ *

End! *Collapses from exhaustion* Jeez, this took a lot out of me...

Bleeding Eyes – Apparently this can happen if you got a spinal disease. Who knew?

Children Song – That song is called 'I know I know' that comes from Game of Thrones. It's a creepy yet soothing song, I find, and fit perfectly in the circumstances.

On a similar note (spoilers if you haven't watched Game of Thrones 3X04 and plan to, though if you plan to watch the show from the beginning from curiosity you better be over eighteen or mature cause violence and boobs all throughout the show),

Daenerys burning Astapor is kinda like how I imagined Merlin being like. The circumstances, no, but her way of speaking and getting the men to follow her, yes. (And the ending song with the visual of the unsullied leaving the gates with the three dragons flying and the sun setting Oh so good!)

Final Message – If I entertained you even a little, than I am happy. If I confused you, than I am sorry. If I angered you, my masochistic side is waiting for you in PM (...ehh...).

I thought you said the ending would be majorly horrible and sorta sad? It was cheery in a sociopathic sort of way – You never asked me one important question. You never asked me if I was a liar! (stop stealing lines from Snow).