The Once and Future Queen

by Bringmebacktoreality

In amongst the old prophecies from an age long ago, it has been foretold that by the side of the once and future king of Albion there is the once and future queen. It is she who would be his most trusted advisor, his true love and his closet friend. The only question is, when he finds her, will she accept her destiny or fight against it?

13. Chapter 13

Kara stood next to Merlin listening to the farmer, Joseph talk to the King in the council chamber, trying her best not to yawn.

'I'm a herder from the northern plains, Sire. Three nights back, we were camped beneath the walls of Idirsholas.' Joseph explained.

'I'm not sure I would've chosen such a place.' Uther states and Kara wonders why, what was so bad about Idirsholas?

'Good pasture is scarce at this time of year, Sire.' Joseph speaks, defending his actions.

'And what is it you have to tell me?' Uther urged.

'While we were there we, we saw smoke rising from the citadel.' He explained and Kara watched as uther eye's widened snapping to gaius next to her.

'And did you see anything else?' Gaius questioned.

'No.'

'Did you go inside?' Uther asked.

'No. Nobody has stepped over that threshold for 300 years!' Kara eyes widened at the new piece of information, confusion flickering. If no one had been in the citadel for 300 years, how could Joseph of seen smoke?

'You must know the legend, Sire.' Joseph continued

'When the fires of Idirsholas burn, the Knights of Medhir will ride again.' Gaius speaks the legend.

'See to it this man is fed and has a bed for the night.' Uther says and Joseph is lead away by one of the Knights. Uther turns to Arthur 'Take a ride out there.'

'Why?' Arthur questions not seeing the point in it.

'So we can put people's minds at rest.' Uther stated.

'Surely this is superstitious nonsense?' Arthur implied

'Gather the guard and do as I say.' Uther ordered and Arthur finally nodded leaving the council chambers.

'Why is Uther so worried?' Merlin questioned when he, Kara and gaius entered the physician chambers.

'Because the Knights of Medhir are a force to be reckoned with.' Gaius explained.

'Do you believe the story as well Gaius?' Kara questioned and the physician nodded.

'It's more than a story. Some 300 years ago, seven of Camelot's knights were seduced by a sorcerer's call. One by one, they succumbed to her power. At her command, they became a terrifying and brutal force that rode through the lands leaving death and destruction in their wake.' Gaius explained.

'What happened?'

'It was only after the sorcerer herself was killed that the Knights of Medhir finally grew still. Merlin, if what Joseph says is true, then something has awoken them, and I fear for each and every one of us.'

'Can nothing ever go right in Camelot?' Kara questioned with a sigh and the two men agreed with her.

Kara watched from the window as Merlin, Arthur and a group of knights rode out of Camelot. Like always she prayed for their safe return before she disappeared down the corridor away from the window towards Morgana's chambers.

She met gwen halfway and the two servants entered the lady Morgana's chambers. Thy saw the woman in question by the window ledge.

'Are you all right?' Gwen asks worried and Morgana snaps her head around.

'Yes, just a little cold.' Morgana spoke closing the window behind her.

'Do you need something warmer?' Kara questioned, staring to move to fetch Morgana a different dress but she shook her head.

'No, thank you.' With that Morgana left and the two ladies maids glanced at each other worried for her.

The next morning when Kara left her bed she immediately felt dizzy and had to grab the side of her bed for support. Her body felt hot, and she could feel herself sweating slightly, strange. She brushed it off and left her room after getting dressed.

She made her way down and saw gwen leaning against the stone wall, looking completely exhausted. 'Gwen' Kara spoke rushing forward to her friend, 'Are you alright?'

'I don't feel so good' Gwen said and Kara felt her forehead. She had a slight fever nothing serious but she would need rest.

'Go home Gwen, I'll take care of Morgana. Go home and get some sleep, you'll feel better' Kara suggested and Gwen nodded daily leaving the wall and disappeared down the corridor. Kara entered Morgana's chambers, seeing the lady in question waking up.

'Morning, My Lady.' Kara called but Morgana continued to stare off into. Space 'Morgana? Morgana!' Kara said and Morgana's head finally snapped towards her

'Yes.'

'Did you sleep well?' Kara questioned but she yawned half way through her sentence.

'Yes. Better than you, by the looks of it.' Morgana said and Kara sighed quietly.

'Sorry.' She apologised immediately shaking away whatever was making her feel tired and helped Morgana g dressed and ready for the day.

After much insisting from Morgana, Kara made her way down to Gaius for something to help her feel better. Gaius checked over, seeing the same symptoms he had all morning.

'I fear this contagion is spreading. You're the fifth person I've seen today.' He spoke moving over to his potion cabinet.

'I'm sure it's nothing serious' Kara spoke but as every word passed her lips she felt weaker and weaker. She jolted when she heard a potion smash to the floor.

'I'll pick that up later. I think I might need a little something myself. If I can ever find what it is I'm looking for.' Gaius spoke and Kara could tell whatever was happening was happening to him as well.

Gaius gave her a potion though it didn't seem to help as she made her way back to lady Morgana's room to make sure she was alright. The guards and knights passing her looked just as bad as she felt.

'Morgana? Are you alright?' Kara called entering and Morgana snapped her head to her ladies maid.

'Kara?!' Morgana cried when she saw how bad the girl looked. 'You should be walking but in bed resting' Morgana stated but Kara shrugged her off.

'No, I'm fi-' before she could finished her sentence Kara collapsed to the ground.

'Kara!' Morgana shouted rushing to her side. She checked the girl's pulse and was relieved when she was till breathing. Morgana looked closer and was surprised when she saw Kara was asleep.

'Kara? Kara?' Morgana called shaking her trying to get her to wake up but her eyes stayed shut, 'Kara? Kara?!' Morgana shouted getting more desperate when she wouldn't wake up.

'Somebody help!' She cried yet no one came. She rushed out of her room to go get Gaius but she stopped mid step in shock when she saw all the guard sand knight had fallen to floor, their red cloaks spread around them. Morgana looked around desperately for someone to be awake but she heard footsteps. In a panic Morgana rushed back to her room and hid behind a curtain, frightened of whoever was coming.

There was nothing to be frightened of however when Merlin and Arthur entered. They searched Morgana's chambers but only found an asleep Kara, just like everyone else in the castle. Arthur picked her off the cold ground and placed her gently on the bed, tucking a stray bit of hair behind her ear. The two men glanced up when they heard a ruffle behind one of the curtains.

Drawing out his sword Arthur crept forward. He pulled back the curtain brandishing his sword with a shout only to find a frightened Morgana who screamed.

Seeing who it was Arthur out his sword away and immediately tried to calm the scared woman 'It's me! It's me, Morgana! What's happened?' He asked.

'I didn't know it was you!' Morgana cried.

'Calm down, Morgana. Just tell me what happened.' Arthur said calmly and Morgana took in a deep breath but it barely didn't anything to calm her nerves.

'People were complaining, saying they weren't feeling well.' She said

'And what then?'

'They started falling asleep. Everyone, everywhere I went.'

'Was someone here?' Arthur asked and Morgana shook her head 'Then why were you hiding?'

'I told you, I didn't know who you were.' Morgana defended

'Where's my father?' Arthur questioned.

'I don't know.'

'Arthur, she's distressed.' Merlin spoke but Arthur continued.

'If she was awake then she must have seen something.' Arthur pressed

'I didn't see anything.' Morgana shook her head.

'You saw people getting sick, what did you do?' Arthur asked again.

'What could I do?' Morgana spat

'Morgana, I don't understand. Why is it that you're the only person awake?m Arthur asked but Morgana had no answers for him. Arthur realised this and left the room in search for his father, Morgana and Merlin following him. Merlin glanced back at Kara and then at Morgana in confusion. He believed it was Morgana's magic that kept her awake but then why wasn't Kara awake? He shrugged it off and hurried after the other two.

'Don't worry, I won't say anything.' Merlin spoke as he walked next to Morgana.

'About what?' She questioned.

'The illness.' Merlin said and she shook her head

'That has nothing to do with me.'

'No, of course not, but you have magic.' He spoke and Morgana immediately stopped.

'You haven't told anyone that!?' She asked

'No, and I won't tell Arthur, but...there must be something keeping you safe, and I think that must be it.' He explained his theory and Morgana nodded as it was the only thing she could think of that made sense.

'Right.'

'I found him!' Arthur yelled and Merlin and Morgana raced down the corridor to where Arthur was, also known as the king's chambers.

Arthur lifted his father from his slumped position over the table, 'Father."

'See, he's all right.' Merlin said and Arthur turned glaring at him turning his father,s sleeping face at him.

'He is not "all right"!'

'He's just asleep. All we have to do is find the cure. A way to wake them.' Merlin said.

'Who could have done this? You're the only one who's not been affected, Morgana. There must be a reason.' Arthur said placing his father down and turned to the woman who looked at Merlin for help.

'I don't know' she said

'That's all you keep saying! You must know something!' Arthur yelled, distress in his voice, every person in Camelot was asleep but her

'No, they just fell asleep one by one!' Morgana yelled, saying what she already had.

'It's obvious.' Merlin started and continued to explain 'When she started feeling sick, Gaius gave her a potion, right?' He said and Morgana looked at him confused.

'When was she sick? She never said that.' Arthur said.

'She was one of the last to be affected. Somehow the potion must have helped.' Merlin said and Morgana nodded.

'What about everyone else?' Arthur questioned. Merlin struggled to find an answer and Morgana was no help as she continued to look at the boy in desperation. Arthur simply waited for a response from either of the,.

'By then Gaius was too ill. He didn't have a chance to treat anyone else.' Merlin eventually lied and Morgana felt a wash of relief overcome her.

'Go and see if you can find this potion. I'll search for signs of life in the lower town.' Arthur said and Merlin nodded running off 'Morgana, you stay here. You look after my father. Keep him safe. Here.' He said and passed her a sword 'Protect him with your life, you understand?' He asked and she nodded.

Arthur left and Morgana held the sword in her hands Ashe sat down staring wide eyed at the sleeping King.

In the physician's chambers, Merlin flicked through his spellbook trying to find a spell that would wake Gaius.

'All right, Gaius, this is going to wake you. Ic ácwice þè' he sai Chris eyes flashed and gaius shot up with a goofy smile pastured on his face.

'Gaius!' Merlin cheered happily but when he looked closer Gaius continued to stare into space, clearly still under the influence of magic.

'Gaius? All right. Er...' He hummed looking through the book 'Oh. We could try this. Ic þé bebíede þæt þú mé slæpest!' One of the legs from Gaius chair breaks and the man falls backwards into the floor.

'Well, maybe not. Er...' Merlin sighs moving forward 'Oh, come on, Gaius. I need you to wake up.' Gaius continued to stare forward with a silly grin as Merlin flicked through the pages 'I really need your help.'

'Ah, here we go. Brimstréam!' He cast only for water to splash against gaius's face. Merlin sighs in frustration but before he can try anymore, Arthur runs appears.

'Merlin!' He shouts in alarm and merlin shut the book shut 'Come quickly!' Arthur urged and after Merlin hid the spellbook under some papers he ran out of the room, following after Arthur.

Merlin and Arthur watch from the battlements as eight riders head for Camelot 'According to the legend there were only seven nights of Medhir.' Merlin states

'Then who's the extra rider?' Arthur asks

'I don't know.' Merlin shrugs 'Camelot is defenceless.' He points out afterwards.

'We have to get back to my father.' Arthur says running down from the battlements. The two men burst into uther's chambers surprising Morgana.

'This will be one of the first places they look. We have to get him somewhere else.' Arthur states

'What's going on?' Morgana questioned

'We're under attack. No time to explain. Grab his legs, carry him.' Arthur said to Merlin as he lifted the top half of his father's body. Merlin grab the Kings legs but the man was heavy as he was pretty much dragged across the ground.

'You're not meant to be sweeping the floor with him! Pick his feet up!' Arthur yelled.

'His feet aren't the problem.' Merlin explained

'Morgana, give him a hand.' Arthur said and she moved forward, grabbing one of Uther's legs. The three drag the King out of his chambers and down a corridor. Merlin couldn't help the grin on his face when Uther snored.

'It is not funny, Merlin.' Arthur snapped and Merlin's smile faded 'Did you find the potion Morgana took?' Arthur asked and the tow stare at each other.

'Er...no.' Arthur groaned in frustration.

Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana drag Uther into the room. Merlin and Morgana drop his legs and uther falls to the floor.

'We can't leave him here! We have to lift him onto the bed.' Arthur protests

'Why? He's asleep. He's not going to know.' Merlin pointed out but Arthur stared at him incredulously.

'Merlin!'

'Well...I'll get him a pillow.' Merlin said heading for the bed.

'He's the King!' Arthur shouted.

'All right. Two pillows.' Merlin said grabbing two white pillows from the bed. Merlin and Arthur put pillows under Uther's head but Arthur staggers as he stands up.

'You alright?' Merlin questioned but he could feel himself starte to sweat and feel weakened.

'Are you feeling the same?' Arthur asks.

'We're getting sick.' Merlin said in realisation before he looks at Morgana who's still fine.

'We can't let that happen. We must keep my father hidden.' Arthur stated, shaking away the dizziness.

'Why don't we disguise him?' Merlin suggests.

'That might just work.'

'We could dress him as a woman.' The smile drops from Arthur's face.

'That, on the other hand...' 'We could dress him as a servant.' Merlin interrupts with anew suggestion.

'That's better.' Arthur agrees.

'I'll get him some clothes.' Merlin said running out of the room. Merlin rushed down the corridor but quickly ducks into a room hiding in a cupboard from the undead Knights wandering through the castle. One enters the room Merlin was in but leaves soon after. Merlin sighs in relief before running down the hall making his way to the dragon cave.

'What's going on?! Why is everyone asleep?!' He shouts at Kilgharrah who snores on a rock.

'Please not you as well. I need your help! What am I going to do?!' Merlin hells before sighing angrily 'Don't pretend. I know you're listening to me.'

Kilgharrah yawns blinking and moved to look at Merlin 'I don't need to listen to you, Merlin. You always say the same thing: "Help me". And yet you refuse to give anything in return. Now you will face the consequence of that decision. Camelot's end is nigh, and there's nothing you can do about it.' The dragon threatened.

'I know I promised to free you, and I will!' Merlin shouts but Kilgharrah laughs 'I will! I promise!'

'I no longer trust your promises.' The dragon states.

'I swear on my mother's life!' Merlin yells and the dragon looks surprised for once.

'Careful what you say.'

'You have to help me. Please?' Merlin begs.

'Her life matters more to you than your own. This is an oath I believe you will honour.' Kilgharrah speaks and Merlin nods.

'I will.'

'It is one thing to cast a spell that puts everyone to sleep. The power to maintain it is a very different matter. It will need more than just words to break this enchantment.' The dragon explains.

'What do you mean?' Merlin asked confused.

'You must eradicate the source, Merlin.' Kilgharrah points out.

'Great. What is that?'

'Not what, but who. Such spells need a vessel, a constant living presence to give them strength. The source of this pestilence is the witch, the Lady Morgana.' He says and Merlin shakes his head in disbelief.

'Can't be.'

'I have warned you about her in the past, but you have failed to take heed. She is dangerous!' Kilgharrah threatens and Merlin sighs

'No.'

'And now she has chosen to turn her back on her own.'

'How do I stop her?' Merlin asked.

'That is easy, young warlock. You must kill her.' The dragon said as if it was just as easy as saying the words.

'No!' Merlin whispers.

'The spell is woven with magic of such power that even you are not immune. You must act now before it's too late. If you do not, then Camelot will fall and Arthur will die, and the future you were destined to share will die with you.' Kilgharrah threatens and Merlin leaves the cave heading for the physician chambers where he grabs clothes, a bottle of water and after much hesitation a bottle of hemlock, a deadly poison.

Merlin runs down the corridor when Arthur grabs him and pulling him into an alcove. 'What took you so long?' The prince questioned.

'I didn't know Uther's size.' Merlin lied.

Merlin and Arthur hear undead breathing, so they peek around the other side of the alcove to see Morgause walking down the corridor with the undead knights. Furious, Arthur tries to pull his sword, but Merlin stops him pulling Arthur away.

Merlin enters Arthur's chambers and Morgana rises from her seat 'I was worried about you.' She says and Merlin mentally sighs, he can't kill her.

'They're here! They're in the castle!' He says instead.

'Where's Arthur?' Morgana questioned.

'Gone to find somewhere safe to move to.' Merlin explains.

'Thank you for not saying anything to him.' Morgana says

'It's all right.' Merlin say standing up

'You're a good friend.' Morgana states and Merlin turns to look at her. The door opens and Arthur storms in

'We have to move my father before Morgause gets here.' He says and Merlin hurries to grab one of uther's legs.

'Morgause' Morgana whispers in shock standing still.

'Come on! Let's go!' Arthur yells and she quickly leans down grabbing one of the legs.

'You're not surprised?' Merlin whispered as Arthur grabbed his father,s arm lifting him up.

'No, I am.' Morgana protests as the three drag uther out of the room and into the servants quarters.

'Should be safe in here for a while.' Arthur states and the three lift him up onto a bed. Arthur sits at his feet and Merlin collapses against the floor while Morgana goes to look out the window, unaffected by the spell.

'Must be the potion Gaius gave her.'

'Yeah, must be the potion.' Merlin agreed but knew it was more of lie then before. Morgana looked down and out the window.

'We can't keep this up much longer.' Arthur stated and Merlin nodded. The three didn't realise that on the other side of the castle a friend was being awoken.

Kara gasped awake, her eyes burning a bright gold. She looked around her confused on why she was in Morgana's bed when she heard it 'kara'. She didn't recognise the voice but hurried out of the bed yet she fell to the floor as wave of dizziness hit her. So she was awake but still affected by the spell.

Kara quickly shook her head, ridding herself of the dizziness running out of the room. Everywhere she looked people where asleep. She had no idea what to do and that's when she heard a scream. Kara bolted towards it only to skid to a stop when a knight made of stone, dressed in black walked towards her. The knight pulled out a sword and Kara quickly grabbed a sword from a nearby knight.

She raised it just in time to block an attack. With a grunt she swung her sword and attacked the knight, leaving it with the only chance to block. Kara sighed with relief when she ran the knight through and his head dropped.

'That's not possible' she muttered seeing the knight raise his head,most ill alive. She tried to pull out her sword but it was firmly stuck in the stone.

'Atres' she yelled knocking the knight backwards into a wall before he could hit her. Without a second thought Kara ran down the hallway as fast as she could. She turned a corner but before she could take another step she fell to her knees, clutching at her head as the voice echoed, 'Kara'.

She rose to her feet and scrambled down some stairs pulling off a torch and made her way down into the he dragon cave. 'hello?!' She yelled I tot the rocky cave only to jump in surprise when the dragon appeared out of nowhere.

'Why did you wake me?!' Kara questioned getting straight to the point before the dragon could say anything.

'Because you are needed if Camelot is to survive this attack' Kilgharrah spoke.

'I don't understand, I can't use my magic without exposing myself' Kara said shaking her head.

'Surprisingly in this case your magic is not what I'm talking about. Your skills with sword are'

'I don't understand. They won't die'

'Yes but I think we both know Arthur will try and fight them either way in order to protect his father. In fact I believe that is what he's doing right now' Kara's eyes widen at the dragons words and she quickly turned to hurry up the steps but Kilgharrah spoke again.

'Beware young witch my magic won't keep you awake forever unless the young warlock destroys the source of magic' she nodded and hurried up the steps, worry overwhelming her thoughts enough that's she didn't teen both asking what the source of magic was.

Arthur found himself on the floor as a knight stood above him he glanced around quickly only to see his sword was so far away before he could do anything the knight brought down his sword yet another sword came out of nowhere blocking it. Kara pushed her sword upwards and kicked the knight away from Arthur.

She span back a round and offered the prince a hand. He took it though in confusion.

'How are you awake?, he wondered but before Kara could say anything she had to quickly duck and they were brought into a fight against the Knights.

'Gaius gave me a potion, guess it took a while to take effect!' Kara yelled over the sounds of swords clashing.

'It must of been the same potion he gave Morgana!' Arthur yelled ducking a blow, twisting his arm managing to land a blow of his own. Kara's thoughts immediately went to the dragons last words to her, "the young warlock destroys the source of magic".

Morgana

Morgana was the source of magic and if she was alone with Merlin. Merlin was going to kill her, Kara realised but before she could even more a large stone hand gripped her around the neck pushing her against a wall. Kara gasped for air, scratching at the hand that tightened.

'Kara!' She heard arthur yell in alarm and he tried to make his way over to her only to be blocked by a knight. The moment Kara felt her lungs screaming for air, she could feel her magic course through her, the idea of exposing herself didn't even matter to her anymore.

'At-' yet before she could finish the go relaxed and the night fell taking Kara along with it but while he was now dead Kara was left gasping for much needed air. She heard loud bangs echo throughout the corridor, indicating the rest of the Knights fell.

'Kara' she blinked seeing Arthur right in front of her, 'are you alright?' He asked worried and she nodded slowly taking the offered hand to stand up. She felt Arthur checking her over for any injuries other then the fading finger marks on her neck.

'I'm fine Arthur, really' she spoke just as they heard approaching footsteps. Several Knights of Camelot joined them 'on me' Arthur said taking out his sword, running down the hall bursting into the he council chambers. Kara stood back making her way around the Knights.

She caught Merlin's eye and could see the guilt, sadness and regret in them. Her attention was drawn quickly to Morgause who has cradling an il looking Morgana in her arms.

'What have you done with my father?' Arthur yelled

'He's safe!' Merlin replied and as if to prove his word the King rose to his feet.

'Morgana!' Arthur yelled but Morgause snapped at him 'Keep away from her!' Before her eyes turned gold and she began chanting 'Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard!' Morgana and Morgause disappeared into the air in a windy cloud of smoke.

Kara and Merlin entered the dragon cave, Merlin's carrying a sword from one of the Knights of Medhir. Merlin had told Kara of his promise to the dragon, to set him free. She couldn't help the sick feeling in her stomach that see thing was going to go wrong.

The dragon flies down, his chains rattling, to Merlin and Kara 'The time has come, young warlock.'

'Where will you go?' Merlin questioned

'I am the last of my kind. There is but one road I can take.' Kilgharrah spoke

'What does that mean?' Kara asked, though she had a pretty good feeling.

'You will see.' He said, being ever so brief but Merlin began the climb down the steps to the base of the dragon's giant chain.

'Before I do this, you promise me that you will not harm Camelot.' Kara heard Merlin yell from below.

'I think there have been enough bargains, don't you?' Kara eyes widened at the dragons words, knowing his plan was the exact opposite. She wanted to tell Merlin to stop but knew the swear on his mother's life and she knew he would still do it even if it meant sending Camelot into chaos.

'Ic bebeode þisne sweord þæt hé forcierfe þá bende þæra dracan. Un clýse!' Merlin cast before swinging the sword drown onto the chain, breaking it and releasing the great dragon. Kara stepped back from the edge as the dragon roared, tossing around before he left the rock flying away and out of the cave.

Kara bolted up the steps the minute the dragon disappeared. She ran outside, eyes widening in fear when fire ran down on the kingdom, the screams of the people echoing into the night mixing with the sound of the warning bells.