Chapter 9: Spells and Tricks

Morgause carefully open the leather covered book. How happy she was now that she had that she so dearly wanted to posses for a long time. It never showed on her face though, never did any kind of emotion escape her. Her face was stern and serious, ever unchanging. She turned the old, fragile pages carefully as she examined its contents.

Hours passed in her candlelit room, well more of a cave actually. The book was full of spells and ancient incantations. How she longed to speak these words and have their effect once more. She never really admitted it, for she was proud to be a vampire but to wish her magic back would only show otherwise. She searched and searched until she found the content she wished to read. That which she couldn't get herself. It was so much easier to persuade someone else to do her job. Fear, she learned, was the greatest motivation she could give to someone.

"Did you find what you needed then, my dear?" Cenred asked her sometime during her search.

"Yes, but it is no use for me in written word."

"Am I to take it that Merlin is still in our need of service?"

"Him and his sister!" she said coldly. "I'll need his magic and his sister is the key to our protection."

"Well I think Jarl will be glad to hear that." He laughed full of evil.

…..

They formed a line behind the bushes scanning the area. They examined the field that unfolded in front of them. Werewolves, vampires, even the weirdest shifters they had ever seen were protecting the grounds. The entrance was guarded well , so just sneaking into the place was out of question and choice.

"There are about fifteen werewolves out there." Gwaine noticed. "They aren't that strong though, they will be easily taken out."

"Unless a vampire attacks you first, that's why they are there." Percival said.

"It is quite impressive that a vampire would get all these werewolves and vampires to protect her." Leon remarked.

"There is nothing impressive about holding someone by fear. They have all been brainwashed and are here not by their own will." Arthur said.

"How will we get in?" Gwen asked.

"Not we… You." He turned and looked at her expectantly.

"Me?"

"You are the only one who can get in there and not get eaten alive."

Lancelot had to cut in. "You don't know that. Arthur, it's too dangerous."

"Arthur, Morgause was never fond of me in the first place." She said matter-of-factly.

"She is your maker, nevertheless. You can go in there and provide us a distraction for a time." She looked at him with pleading eyes and sighed in disbelief. Then, Arthur squeezed her hand in his. "I promise you Gwen I will not leave you there alone for more than an hour. No harm will come to you. I promised that before and I promise it again. Besides, how cruel can she be to you when she is the one that made you in the first place."

Gwen couldn't disagree to that.

…..

It was hard knowing that your sister is a step away from you hurt and silver bound and that you couldn't touch and barely see her. There were only swift glances when the guards had the corridors clear through the bars of each cell. Merlin forehead glued in-between cold iron and Morgana held the bars in her grasp as she looked sideways to the cell of her brother. They didn't say anything just looked at each other, wondering when this hell would end.

Their gaze only broke when Merlin couldn't hold himself up anymore. The truth was he was in a really bad way. His back never stopped hurting and every time he moved or stretched a wound or two would start bleeding again. He would have been better if his magic would aid in healing, which it usually did. The shackles cut off his magic completely and he couldn't feel it at all and being bound to him as it was they drained his energy with it. He could only lie on the cold floor and breathe in deeply. His head ached by the hardness of the ground beneath him. Every now and then he would wince and Freya would look at him concerned, sometimes she would ask if he was alright. She always got the same answer so she stopped.

He was almost well into a fainting sleep when he heard the door of his cell opening.

"Up you get filth!" Jarl yelled as two other guards lifted him up forcefully. The man winced in agony.

He was forced to a standing stance, making him walk out the corridor. Morgana was shoved to a parallel walking route and they exchanged glances as if they were asking each other what was happening.

There were only two times they got to get out of their cells. The first was if Morgause needed them and the second was if they were to get a beating. Sometimes it was both. Morgause cared little for the methods Jarl used as long as they achieved the result she wished. There were rare times however where she wished to watch.

The two siblings walked in silence and Merlin secretly squeezed Morgana's cold hand for a moment. He released her hand abruptly when they reached a room where Morgause stood waiting for them.

They stood in the room in silence for quite a while.

"Well?" Merlin said.

"So impatient Merlin…" she remarked. "Is there somewhere you need to be?"

"There are a few places I can think of…" he said. Truthfully but Morgause took it as impudence.

She nodded to Jarl, revealing a secret arrangement they had about this… gathering. Morgana was pulled to the corner where he took out a silver dagger and pointed it on her chest. Morgana seemed terrified although she has been through this procedure before. Questions would be asked and every time she never liked the answer he would slice her skin.

Merlin took a step forward, only to be held back by a guard. "What is this?"

"Here is how my plan goes." She announced. "I remove the shackles, you use your magic for my spell, you make sure it works , no one gets harmed and your sister lives."

"As easy as that." He challenged. "There is no guarantee for our wellbeing. I can't trust you to keep your word."

She smiled "Do you think you have a choice?"

Merlin glanced at Morgana quickly. Her face was calm and serious. She shook her head negatively, prompting him not to accept her terms.

"I will not do it."

He earned a punch for that on the face leaving a small river of blood leaking from the corner of his lips. Another one found his stomach and he was on the floor. One of his palms flat on the ground the other grasping his stomach in pain.

"I don't have time to associate with a little vermin like yourself! You will do this or you shall bear the consequences." She shouted, Merlin looking up to see she was standing right in front of him. She put the book on the floor, open to the spell she needed him to say. "Do it!"

He looked at the book and then back at her. "No." he said determined.

"Is this your final word?" she asked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Her next words came through gritted teeth and full of hate. "Kill her!"

"What!?" Merlin shouted, caught unaware. "No!"

Things seemed to move so quickly then, he could see the dagger near his sister's throat moving to her chest. Morgana's green eyes had gone wide looking into his blue ones. Jarl's smile over her creepy enough to raise the hair of his spine. His surroundings had gone invisible and his vision black, focusing only on his sister, the fear in her eyes. The dagger slowly touched her skin, slowly pressing it to make its entrance.

"My Lady!" someone announced, stopping everything, seizing what was to be an unexpected turn of events from Merlin and Morgana's part. "Someone is asking for you."

She sighed in annoyance. "Who is it?" she asked as if bored, as if someone had just spoiled the fun.

"Hello Morgause." Merlin said behind Merlin ."Haven't seen you in a while." She said while taking her gloves off.

"Gwen!" She said surprised. "You were just in time! I believe you have never met your sister in kin before." She gestured at Morgana.

"I do remember you actually telling me about a sister. It would seem that I am just in time then, looking at how she is held." She said not seeming very shaken. She decided that the best way to face Morgause is to either not or be on her side. She didn't like it, not one bit, but she always has and always will act the way she does. Although she would prefer not to meet her.

"Well you know me, I hate to see a child of mine misbehaving."

She looked a bit panicked then. "It's a good thing I'm not then." She quirked a corner of her lips up.

"Come!" she exclaimed making her way back to the room before picking up the book and saying, "Deal with this lot Jarl!"

Merlin didn't say anything. On one hand he was a bit furious because Gwen being here meant Arthur was here too and he told him not to. He should fear for his life and instead he feared for him. He couldn't bear the thought of him being in pain. On the other hand, he was relieved his sister's life was saved and most probably his as well. He knew that a battle was coming. He wished they wouldn't hurt him much that he couldn't fight, but if his shackles were to be removed hell would break lose in here.

Morgause's feelings towards Gwen were complicated and peculiar. She certainly had a better opinion for her than Morgana. She kind of respected her and she kind of let her be free of her own actions and life. She knew Gwen had strong connection to her disadvantage and had little control of her when her protégée used them. She never knew about Arthur however, about the connection they have. She decided long ago that any kind of "vampire communities" were not her… class.

"Might I ask what you are doing here?" Morgause asked as they took their seat.

"I heard rumors about you staying here and I came to make sure, to be honest."

"How did the rumors spread, I wonder?" She smiled not really meaning it. She never liked other people knowing of her location. Maybe because she got in so many situations and had so many enemies that she preferred to be hidden.

"There was another rumor, which I want to ask you of it is true." She said matter-of-factly.

"Of course…" She knew there had to be a reason behind her visit.

"I heard you have a book. A rather powerful book in your possession." She informed her.

"Did that sorry of a man managed to keep anything secret." She said or rather mumbled. "What is it you want?"

"Oh, it's quite simple!" she exclaimed. "I want to be part of it."

"Do you know what kind of information that book holds?"

"Well you can start telling me! We have the rest of the night, I suppose." She smiled expectantly.

Morgause sighed.

….

Lancelot was too anxious. "Don't you think it is time to go in there yet?" he asked Arthur.

"Give her some time." He asked of him taking his sword from where it hung from his horse and sealed its belt around his waist. "Don't worry she is strong, only a century away from her. She is clever, she can overpower her."

Lancelot was about to retort, urge him once again to save them. He opened his mouth and he was about to speak but was cut off by same glowing eyes behind the trees. He yelled "Arthur!" but it was too late. The wolf was on Arthur and it growled and it snarled over him. Its pointy, sharp teeth were on display. He snapped its spine and threw his body away from him. He stood up and saw everyone looking at him, not being able to process how quickly this incident just happened. They didn't have the time to withdraw their swords.

"Alright…" he said straightening his clothes. "This should be enough. Let's go!"

They drew their swords out and ran quickly towards the grounds. They slayed every wolf and vampire in their way. Gwaine was already in his wolf form, a dark colored and graceful creature with a muscular physique. He truly was the portrait of his old bloodline. He sank his teeth into werewolves that did not acknowledge his high position. Some however would shake from fear and regret they ever thought of going against them.

The vampires were mostly against them. They had little training and they were easy to take down, however, they weren't as strong and experienced as them. Even Lancelot was quick enough to take down two or three. By the time they reached entrance there had been people running away for their salvation, escape and their lives. Some would stand in their way, some found their chance to escape. It is at time like this that true loyalty showed. Cowards fled and loyal people fought.

Arthur only had one thing in his mind: to find Merlin. His sword pierced through stomachs and sliced throats. Vengeance and anger overwhelmed him and he could not stop his way through the caves. When he no longer knew where to go he grabbed a shifter guard, still in his human form, pinning him to the wall. The man squirmed under him, gasped for air and his hands scratching Arthur's gloved hand.

"A man named Merlin, where is he!?" he demanded.

The man pointed at a corridor to his right and his hoarse tiny voice begged for him to loose his grasp "Please." He begged and Arthur let the man go.

People shouted and yelled. A man had successfully managed to slice a gash on Arthur's face only it was in vein. The gash sealed, leaving only a smudge of dried blood that started to thicken. He repaid the man by attacking tenfold, taking his life away. The last sound that came out of him was a scream. Many more screams came from the attack that unfolded. Sounds came where Percival had just punched a vampire with his teeth extracted and hissed at him, Lancelot had just dug his dagger in another man Gwaine claimed power over the remaining wolves and Leon ever so powerful showed his strength in battle.

The sounds and noises reached where Morgause and Gwen conversed. Morgause's face turned sour and angry… well angrier that before anyway. "What in Hell's name is going on out there?" she shouted standing up.

Cenred entered the room panting and shocked. "Morgause, we are under attack!" he said flabbergasted.

"Who dares to attack me?"

"Arthur Pendragon."

She turned to her protégée, her eyes full of hate and rage. "This is your doing, isn't it? You have brought your precious friend, destroying what I managed to built?" she slapped her with the back of her hand and whatever good there was between them vanished, turned to ashes, they were enemies now. "I promise you that once I am done with this you will not see anything but a cage for the rest of your etrnal life." Her words were shaken and painfully too promising.

Arthur and Leon reached the dungeons were thirty maybe even forty prisoners were held. They looked not what one may expect, not relieved not happy but confused and scared. Blurry eyes from tears looked at the men who just came to the room.

"What should we do about them?" Leon asked.

"Let them out of course!" he walked further into the corridor searching for the familiar face what he found was not something he liked. Merlin behind the bars on the floor, all limb and bloody. His back had new lashes and he barely looked alive.

"Shit!" Arthur said wide eyed. His fingers curled around the lock and ripped it apart with force throwing it on the floor. He opened the door and rushed to Merlin. He gathered the man in his arms and shook him lightly. "Merlin! Merlin!"

Fuzzy eyes cracked open and were unfocused for a moment. He concentrated on the face over him. "Hey…" he said in a low voice.

Arthur slowly reached up Merlin cheek to caress him. "Hey little thing…"

Merlin swallowed, trying hard to breathe. His hands moved towards Arthur and they clanged. "Shackles…" he managed to say.

Arthur looked at were Merlin hunted and carefully took his wrists in his hand. He looked at the strangely craved shackles and the runes. He quickly tore them apart and saw as Merlin arched his back of the floor and breathed in deep, more like gasp for air. It was as if his lungs were released from a tightly sealed grasp and air flowed freely again. His magic danced under his skin, it tingled in his chest. His eyes blinked rapidly and he already felt his body going in the healing process.

"Are you back?" Arthur asked him with a strange smile.

Merlin focused his eyes on him. "You prat!" Typical Merlin. "Haven't I told you not to come!?"

Arthur sighed in defeat and went around help Merlin up, putting an arm over his shoulders. Merlin's legs seemed to be of little use as they went weak. He was still in great pain and Arthur could see that, even sense it. He put his arm around his waist careful not to touch his scars but he couldn't miss them entirely.

"I don't see you doing a better job by yourself!" He argued and Merlin didn't say anything to that.

"Just get us out of here, will you?" he asked in a lower voice. Arthur understood though what he really meant.

They walked out of the cage and Merlin saw as many fled the caves. Freya was in the hallway and for a quick moment she looked at Merlin who hung from Arthur's neck. She looked at him pained and troubled by what was happening, not quite sure where to turn and go.

"Goodbye Merlin. Thank you." She turned into a fearsome beast with black, silky fur and wings so enormous that could reach the ceiling. She stormed off, her claws clicking on the floor.

"This way!" Arthur dragged him towards the other way of the hall.

"Wait!" he said. "My sister!"

"Where is she?" Arthur asked.

"There!" he pointed to her cell, noticing that his wrists were in an awful state. They were bruised at the edges of his wounds, red angry rashes replaced the white scars and blood painted them.

Then he looked as Leon emerged from the cell with a fainted Morgana in his arms, her silver chains finally removed. How did he know it was his sister, he wondered.

"Ready to go!" Leon announced.

"Not yet, we need to find Gwen!" Lancelot, Percival were separated from the in search for her at some point. Gwaine was on the main room keeping the others from barging in the dungeons.

"Well, where is she?" Merlin asked.

"Distraction."

"Please don't tell me she is with Morgause." He told him.

Arthur shrugged. "She is, but don't worry I have this under control."

"Then you clearly don't know what we are up against!" he argued and sighed. "Leon, go from the other side, find the way out and take my sister to safety, please."

"Yes!" Arthur agreed, feeling he had to give the order. "And take Merlin with you."

"Out of the question! I'm coming with you!" There was a certain déjà vu in Merlin's words, the same words he told him when he ran off.

"You are wounded!" Arthur said.

"I will be fine! You need my magic!" he assured him desperately. "Now please go, take her to safety!" he asked from Leon once more who nodded and left.

They walked as quickly as they could with Merlin slowly finding the strength to walk gradually. He panted though and was dizzy. He wouldn't say anything to Arthur, but Arthur knew. The common room was not in the same state Arthur last saw it. The people that run about were gone. There was silence across the room. Cenred's dead body was lying unceremoniously on the cold floor. Blood leaked from his stomach and Gwaine over him was panting, trying to steady his breathing. Morgause had a dagger over Gwen's chest ready to pierce her heart. Lancelot was wide eyed, fear reaching his bones, making him shudder. Percival anxious of the situation.

Morgause's face had a mixture of panic, her eyes searching warily the whole room. She looked… desperate. Morgause was desperate, Merlin asked himself.

"Arthur Pendragon I assume…"

"You assume right." Arthur said. "And I suppose either we let you go or you kill Gwen…"

"You assume right." She returned the words. "Now! Make way!" she moved towards the exit of the cave while everyone else mirrored her movements.

"Wait!" Merlin shouted and everyone turned on him. "I propose an exchange."

"What!?" Arthur and Morgause both said simultaneously.

"Leave Gwen and I will come with you. If you want the spell to work I doubt you'll find anyone with magic that easy." He explained.

"And what do you want in exchange?" Morgause knew that a deal always suggested that both parties got something out of it.

"You never harm my sister again and Gwen and all the others."

She considered his proposal for a minute. "Alright, I accept."

Merlin made a move to go towards her when Arthur was stopped him. "No." He told him in a low voice panicked.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." He told him. "It's one of my many talents, remember?" He hinted and Arthur shook his head.

He moved forward and switched places with Gwen. Everything happening in silence. Lancelot took Gwen's arm and left as they were told to by Arthur, Percival and Gwaine too. Morgause took Merlin's hair in her hand and pulled his head behind.

"Now don't try anything stupid dear or I won't thing cutting your throat open twice."

"You are forgetting something Morgause." Morgause froze from Merlin's statement. "I have magic." She had totally forgotten about that.

His eyes never left Arthur's who waited rather impatiently for Merlin's move. Eyes glowed gold and Arthur's hand was on the hilt of his sword. Everyone froze and Merlin was in his own dimension again. He shifted away from Morgause and out of her grasp. Walked a step away from her and let everything fall to normal time. Arthur's sword had already pierced Morgause and she gasped in pain. Mouth gaped open. Eyes wide in disappointment. Disappointment feeling the last minute of her existence, for they were clever enough to trick her.

He took his sword out of her and she fell on the floor, in her blood. Arthur turned and smiled at him with relief. Merlin was to take a step towards him but then Jarl appeared from behind with his own silver dagger ready to strike.

"Arthur!" Merlin screamed his eyes glowed gold and the man flew backwards with an unthinkable force, his spine snapping and his life taken. Merlin thought himself cruel for feeling satisfied of his death but it was over now.

They were victorious, everyone was safe and relieved. But Merlin found himself sliding against a wall fainting into his pain. He felt he was dying, that this was the end…

A/N- I couldn't resist the cliffey again... sorry... Anyway, I wanted to point out that i didn't kill Freya in this fanfiction because always felt her death was sad, kind of. Now, I'm no Merlin/Freya shipper but she was quite lovable wasn't she? I felt sorry for her.

I hope you liked this chapter!