Disclaimer: Doctor Who belongs to the BBC. I do not own any of it, nor do I get paid for it.

A/N Thanks for the amazing response on the last chapter. This is the second to last chapter in this story and I can't believe we are almost at the end.

Happy Reading!

The Wizard of Camelot: Morgaine

Previously

"Who are you supposed to be then?" asked Rose, sounding a lot braver than she was feeling at the moment.

"I am Morgaine," said the woman, her smile widening. "The once and future ruler of Camelot. And you, Rose Tyler," she added as she touched Rose's forehead, and caught her unconscious form before it hit the forest floor. "You shall come with me."

Rose awoke with a gasp and then groaned under her breath. Hazy memories of a little girl running off into the forest floated into her mind, and she sat up quickly, groaning again when the sudden movement caused her vision to sway a little.

"Do try and not move so much," came a bored female voice and Rose snapped to focus at the sight of Morgaine sitting down quite calmly on an iron throne.

A quick glance at her surroundings told Rose that she appeared to be in an ordinary, derelict hut and Morgaine's throne seemed quite out of place in this less-than-luxurious place. As if reading her thoughts, Morgaine rolled her eyes and stood up. With a wave of her hand, the throne disappeared.

Slightly startled, Rose jumped to her feet. That was when she noticed that her foot was no longer injured.

"I took the liberty of healing it," said Morgaine at her surprised look.

"Why?" asked Rose suspiciously.

She shrugged almost too casually. "It seemed as if it was hurting," she said.

"Not what I meant," said Rose, crossing her arms. "You lured me in with that girl and then kidnapped me. Why would you want to heal me?"

"I did not kidnap you," snapped Morgaine. "You are a means to an end, Rose Tyler, nothing more."

"Pretty sure it's still kidnapping" said Rose with a shrug. "And who was that girl?"

Morgaine raised her eyebrows. "You do not know?" she asked. "Curious, I picked her out from your memories."

Rose wondered briefly if she and the Doctor had met any curly-haired blonde girls with blue eyes recently, but came up empty. She shook that thought away and focused on Morgaine again. "So, you brought me here for what exactly?" she asked, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

Morgaine's lips tightened as if she hated what she was about to do. "I discovered today that...my son has been responsible for poisoning Arthur," she said reluctantly.

"Your son?" asked Rose curiously.

"Mordred," she said. "He thought he could...help me, by getting rid of Arthur." She sounded furious despite her calm voice.

"And you don't like it?" asked Rose incredulously. "Thought you'd be happy if the King died."

Morgaine glared at her. "Of course not," she snapped. "I would never sink so low as to do something as underhanded as poisoning my greatest foe. Arthur shall die by my hand and I shall look him in the eye as I take the Excalibur from his dying hands. His death will be on the battlefield."

Rose listened with wide eyes. "So, you don't want the King to die unless you kill him in battle?" she asked. "Well, you might get your wish. The King is being cured as we speak."

Morgaine nodded as if she had known that already. "I am aware," she said. "He was cured by your Merlin," she spat the name like poison.

"Not a fan then, I take it," said Rose. "Shouldn't you be glad that he saved the King from dying?"

"I anticipate him to be quite the hurdle," she said smoothly. "Yet I happen to know that you are his weakness."

"If you are gonna get him through me, I don't think that's very wise," said Rose honestly.

"Quiet!" she snapped. "I could kill both of you quite easily, but it would be dishonourable to destroy something quite so powerful. Merlin's magic is wonderful, the strongest I have seen in a while."

Rose suspected that Morgaine was just musing out loud, and Rose had to fight back the sudden jealousy that swept over her at the gentle admiration in Morgaine's voice when she spoke about the Doctor. "You think he has magic?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Not magic as your primitive brain understands it, Rose Tyler. His very aura is dark and powerful enough to rival mine," smirked Morgaine. "Perhaps, I shall ask him to join me after all. He can even keep you to amuse himself."

Rose felt anger and possessiveness grip her heart with a force that surprised even her. Wondering if it was the impact of the bond, or Morgaine was messing with her head somehow, Rose worked hard to keep her emotions under check though her fists clenched almost involuntarily.

"Then again," continued Morgaine, seemingly unaware of the fuming Rose. "It would be quite easy to get you both out of my way. Mordred!"

Rose jumped slightly when a grey knight with long black hair emerged from the shadows, bearing a menacing expression on his face.

"You are to guard Miss Tyler with your life until Merlin comes to her rescue," she said. "You know what to do then?"

For a moment, his grip on his sword tightened and then he nodded at his mother. "I know, mother," he said.

Morgaine fixed him with steely look. "You will do exactly as you have been told, Mordred," she said sternly. "This time, there shall be no mistakes."

"No, mother," he said, sounding almost like a sulking child.

Morgaine stared at him for a moment, before nodding firmly and approaching Rose. Before she could try and retreat, Morgaine touched her fingers to her forehead, and Rose felt her own telepathic voice let out a blood-curdling scream for the one person who would be able to hear her with ease, regardless of where she was.

In Camelot, the Doctor's head snapped up when he heard it. Fury seized his hearts and the thunderous expression on his face sent even the most hardened knights in his presence reeling back slightly. "Rose," he muttered through white lips. "I'm coming to get you."

Rose narrowed her eyes at Mordred, who was ignoring her completely. Morgaine had left a few minutes ago, after making sure that Rose was fine. It was off-putting to be used as bait, to say the least, and she was done being used to lure the Doctor.

She tilted her head towards Mordred and could practically feel his annoyance. He was being relegated to babysitting her after getting in his mother's bad graces. That had to be quite the blow since he was apparently the Knight Commander of Morgaine's forces.

Deciding to use that bit of information against him, Rose adopted her best bored expression. "So, what exactly are you supposed to be doing once Merlin gets here?" she asked him.

He glared at her and looked away. Rose hid her smirk and continued in her most insolent voice. "I mean, your mum couldn't have asked you to kill us," she said.

His glare intensified. "And why would you assume that, girl?" he demanded.

Hook, line, sinker, thought Rose before she shrugged casually. "I mean, you're not exactly in her good books, are you? No way she's gonna trust you with something so important," she said, watching him swell with anger. "Go on, tell me what she's asked you to do. Bet she's asked you to call her back here once Merlin is here."

Mordred roared in anger and drew out his sword. "You will watch your tongue or I shall relieve you of it," he said, pointing the sword at her.

Rose returned his gaze calmly. "I'm guessing your mum didn't sanction that one," she said, smiling infuriatingly at him. "I'm right, aren't I? You're asked to keep me safe and unharmed, and yell for mummy when Merlin gets here."

Mordred sneered and for one moment, Rose thought he would run her through with the broadsword but he lowered his sword and sheathed it again. "I would not be so quick to mock me or my mother, girl," he said, sounding almost gleeful. "The fate my mother has planned for you and your beloved Merlin is far worse than death."

"Has she now?" came the Doctor's voice and Rose felt relief flood her heart when she saw the Doctor standing calmly behind Mordred, who whirled around at once with his sword drawn. "Oh, put that away, Mordred, before you get a paper cut," he said derisively, and walked past him to Rose. "You alright?" he asked her in a low voice, grabbing her hand with both of his.

"You know, same old, same old," she said, smiling reassuringly back at him.

He smiled softly and leaned in to kiss her when Morgaine interrupted their reunion with her sudden appearance. "Ah, I was wondering when you'd turn up, Morgaine," said the Doctor, as if greeting an old friend.

"You must be the infamous Merlin," said Morgaine, appraising him with narrowed eyes.

"As I live and breathe," said the Doctor with a short bow. "Now that you have me, I want to know what it is that you want with me."

Morgaine smirked at him. "You came alone, I see," she said. "There are no knights in the vicinity."

"Oh, I thought the invitation was quite exclusive," he said lightly, though his grip on Rose's hand tightened. "Had I known the knights were invited…"

"Quiet!" snapped Morgaine. "Your place is not here, Merlin, and you reek of nothing but interference."

"Interfere? Me?" he asked innocently, in a tone that convinced no one.

Morgaine ignored his quip. "I could kill you both quite easily, but as I told your beloved before, it would be quite the waste," she said and raised her hand imperiously.

Rose moved closer to the Doctor when she saw a golden ball of energy building in Morgaine's grip.

Morgaine smirked at them. "Therefore, I shall just send you away on a little trip. Careful, it might get a bit cold," she added and fired the golden ball of energy at them.

Rose closed her eyes instinctively as she felt her legs give out from under her. When she straightened up, she started shivering violently when she realised that Morgaine had transported her and the Doctor to the middle of an icy cave.

"Antarctica, so unimaginative," said the Doctor, taking off his coat and putting it around Rose's shoulders.

Rose huddled closer into it gratefully. "Y-you kn-knew?" she asked, her teeth chattering.

He rubbed her arms to warm her up. "Yes, Mordred will mention this the next time he sees me," he said. "Fortunately, I was prepared for it. Ah, here comes our way out."

Rose smiled in wonder when she saw the TARDIS materialising in front of them. The doors opened almost immediately after the landing thud was heard, and Ancelyn poked his head out. "Your chariot is magnificent, Merlin," he said, his voice full of awe. "Does it really traverse through all of time and space?"

The Doctor chuckled as he led Rose into the warmth of the TARDIS. "Yes, and I am glad you were able to pilot her so well, Ancelyn," he said in a proud voice.

"Your instructions were clear, and your wand helped," said Ancelyn, handing him his sonic screwdriver back. "So, what it is that we do now?" he asked.

"Now, we return to Camelot," said the Doctor, his smile diminishing as he turned to the console. "I'm afraid Morgaine will not give up so easily."

Unfortunately, it seemed as if the Doctor had been absolutely right in his prediction about Morgaine. When the Doctor, Rose and Ancelyn got back to Camelot, they were met with news of Morgaine declaring war on Camelot with her army of grey knights. Ancelyn had to leave the Doctor and Rose and rally the troops, as was his job as the Knight Commander of the King's army.

The Doctor and Rose volunteered to take the news to the King and Queen themselves, but when they got to the King's chamber, they were met with even more bad news. The King's condition had worsened and he would not live to see the morning.

"Arthur, I am so sorry," said the Doctor, watching the King who was sitting up in bed despite his weak state.

Next to him, the Queen was sobbing openly. Rose rushed to her side and grabbed her into a hug. Arthur coughed and tried to muster up a smile. "Do not be sorry, Merlin," he said in a hoarse voice. "You did your best to heal me, and I only regret that our friendship did not last longer."

The Queen's sobs became worse at that and Rose held her tighter, feeling her own eyes fill with tears.

Arthur watched the Queen with soft eyes. "Guinevere," he said softly, waiting until she raised her head from Rose's shoulder to look at him. "Please do not cry, my love."

She sniffed and tried to stop the tears flowing from her eyes. "This is not how it should have happened, Arthur," she said. "You were not supposed to leave me like this."

"I know, my love, I know," he said heavily. "We were supposed to be together for all eternity, and I am sorry to be leaving you alone." He sighed. "Not only am I failing you, but I am leaving you behind to face my mistakes."

"That horrible sorceress is not your mistake, Arthur," said Guinevere firmly. "Camelot shall stand against her and will fight her for the rest of eternity if that is what it takes to defeat her. That, I do promise you."

Arthur's face softened with pride. "I know you will, my love," he said, his eyes shining, despite the drowsiness that seemed to be enveloping him. "But this is indeed my mistake. My youthful indiscretions with Morgaine, and then my subsequent rejection of her made her hate me, and now that hate has led to war on Camelot."

Guinevere took his hands into hers and kissed them. "We have all made mistakes," she said, her eyes darkening slightly.

He smiled gently. "I forgave you a long time ago, Guinevere, as I hope you shall forgive me for this," he said.

"There is nothing to forgive," she said tearfully. "I love you so much."

"I love you more than the sun and the stars, my Guinevere," he said, his voice sounding weaker. "Help me lie down, Merlin," he requested.

The Doctor, who had been surprisingly still during their conversation, quickly helped the King lie down on his back. Immediately, Arthur's eyes sought him and Rose. "I owe you both my gratitude," he said. "I only ask you to aid in Morgaine's defeat, Merlin, Lady Rose."

"Morgaine shall be defeated, Arthur," said the Doctor firmly. "I give you my word."

Arthur nodded slowly and then looked at his wife, who started sobbing again. "I-I think it is time," he said, his eyes starting to close.

"No, no, no, no, please," sobbed Guinevere, grabbing his hand but his grip slackened. Rose felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she gripped Guinevere's shoulder comfortingly.

Outside, the sun rose on Camelot but King Arthur had already stopped breathing.

A/N End of Part 3. So, what did you think?

The part about the ice caves was mentioned in 'Battlefield'. The next chapter will be the final one for 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'. I don't know when I will start posting the sequel but it will be soon.

The final chapter will be up soon. See you then!