Chapter 47 [Half an Hour Later]

With an almost frightening efficiency, the allied armies surrounded Camelot solidifying Arthur's earlier strategy. The Amazons accompanied by Britomart and Gawain supported Perceval's effort at the drainage gate. Bors and Rodor distributed their other knights toward the gates further stopping up those points of access.

And so the siege officially kicked into high gear….

Merlin frowned at the scene developing before himself. He couldn't believe that the world had turned so dramatically on its ear in so short of a fashion. He shook his head and scratched his scalp while trying to wrap his head around the deteriorating situation….

…besieging Camelot instead of defending it….

…estranged from Arthur because of the latter's intolerance for magic…

…being more closely allied with Rodor than Arthur because of the situation's development….

…his bond with Mithian now occupying the centralized position in his universe by necessity….

…and all because of Arthur's moves to cover himself—Gwen's exile and the failed engagement with Mithian….

Who would've thought that *this * would be the endgame? What about the prophecy? Arthur is supposed to be the Once and Future King!

"You have that look about you, Merlin."

Merlin's ears quirked at the familiar voice breaking off his meditation. He almost jumped in surprise at the sight of the aged physician slowly moving toward him. "Gaius! I thought you were still in the eastern provinces."

"Yes it took me long enough to get back here. The plague defied me for several days before it mysteriously abated on its own. I packed up and immediately started back for here. My escort and I had to evade traveling bands of brigands. In addition, I helped refugees in the villages I passed through. Fortunately Talesin saved me at least two days' ride by teleporting me back here. It has been quite a week, Merlin, has it not?" Gaius explained. He rubbed his forehead. "Still I wish I remember more of what happened before I arrived at Erotburgh. It's like a muddled mess."

"You might not want to," Merlin noted somberly; his eyes bearing sad witness to the betrayal beforehand.

"Why?" The physician rubbed the younger man's shoulder. "Merlin, what happened? Talesin told me of how Morgana and Morgause engineered this turn of events. Apparently they cast some sort of hate spell over the entire isle. Meleagant has gutted Whitgate and Camelot both. What else is there?"

"I was struck on the back of the head while in our chambers. When I woke up, I was chained in Camelot's dungeon. Arthur paraded Princess Mithian in front of me bound and gagged before dragging her off to Nemeth. Morgana just enjoyed every moment of our pain! Meleagant nearly burned Mithian at the stake. There's more but…." Merlin started to recount.

"Struck in the back…?" Gaius struggled to recall the events through the haze. "Why can't I remember?"

"It is an aftereffect of the spell, Gaius," Kilgarrah noted tersely. "So you have finally returned, have you? As you can see, we have kept things going quite nicely."

"Kilgarrah, please!" Merlin attempted to intercede.

"No, Young Warlock, Gaius needs to hear this. I need to say it." The Great Dragon turned to Gaius. "You incapacitated Merlin allowing him to be captured, Gaius. Granted you were under the hate spell's influence as you have noted but you did so nonetheless. Arthur and Kay of Nemeth cannot overcome the enhancement of their own hatred of magic from the spell itself. The last vestiges of the witches' spell bear their bitter fruit. Even if we are victorious, our respective feelings may yet tear this land asunder plunging us into centuries of bloody conflict rather than uniting Albion."

"Oh good heavens!" Gaius grimaced and bowed his head in shame. "Merlin, I…."

"I know it was the spell and not you, Gaius. I don't carry a grudge about that," Merlin assured him while embracing the older man in a forgiving embrace. "Besides I have other challenges to deal with now."

I heard that!

"Merlin, did I just hear a voice in my head? It sounded like Princess Mithian!" Gaius realized.

Kilgarrah chortled while reveling in the moment. "That, Gaius, is telepathy. And yes, you did hear Mithian speaking to us in that fashion. It seems that the bond between our warlock and witch is developing nicely. Merlin has made certain choices. He is about to make another very soon which will have great importance to all."

"Choices?" Gaius queried. "What choices?"

"Mithian and I are bonded, Gaius, as you know. Just now, King Rodor acknowledged my worthiness to be with her. Given Arthur's continued hostility toward magic, I…cannot stay here any longer. I've been offered safe refuges with the Amazons and in Nemeth. I hope that Arthur will cease being such a prat toward sorcerers in general. It may offer me opportunities to still accomplish the prophecy but do so more openly," Merlin declared.

"While you're dreaming, Merlin, remember that your first duty is to your King," Gaius reminded him. "Remember what happened with Freya?"

"I remember. I also know that Arthur hasn't changed his attitude because of Uther's prejudice. Gaius, Morgana fell to the darkness because of that. Morgause had her opportunity because of that. I also have a duty to myself and Albion as well. I'm still considering that as well," Merlin countered.

"Ah, Gaius, you have not changed, have you? Still you allow your petty needs and immediate loyalties to blind you oh so conveniently," Kilgarrah interjected darkly.

"I have my loyalty to Arthur, Camelot and Merlin. You don't understand…." Gaius started.

Kilgarrah laughed mockingly at the elder man.

"Kilgarrah, that's enough."

"No, Merlin, you may be the Dragon Lord. Still I speak on behalf of magical beings everywhere. That you have to allow me," the Great Dragon disagreed. "Gaius, we all have immediate loyalties and bonds. However we cannot allow them to blind us to the Greater Good and its needs. One of your generations ago, you turned a blind eye as Uther Pendragon repressed magic by the sword and flame. Would you do so now allowing Arthur and Kay of Nemeth to do the same? It is time to bring matters to account. What choice will you make this time? You see, Gaius, when you have lived a thousand winters as I have, you come to understand a great many things. Merlin contemplates the best ground for all concerned. So does everyone involved in this drama. Question is will you? Will Arthur Pendragon?"

Before the debate could continue, Mithian pleaded desperately, Merlin! Please come! We have to do something!

At the breaking, wrenching tone in her voice, the warlock's heart almost stopped in fright. His guts wrenched while immediately fearing the worst. Mithian, what is it? Are you all right?

"It seems that Destiny calls for you, Merlin. Go to her," Kilgarrah bade.

"We'll continue this later!" Merlin ran for the royal enclosure.

"Destiny or an enchantment?" Gaius supposed suspiciously.

"Oh how little you understand of love, Gaius. It seems Merlin has learned a great deal more in the past fortnight than either of us can imagine in that regard," Kilgarrah retorted tersely.

Rodor stood before the emerald enclosure glaring at Camelot's wall. He fumed over Ywain's news from moments' earlier. "How could he do this?"

"Prince Kay insisted, Sire. I tried to stop him but he told me to cease and desist!" Ywain glanced toward the drainage grate. "He took our men with him. He would not let Sir Gawain, Lady Britomart or Malodius go with him!"

"His blind rush leaves the grate unguarded now. Forgive me, King Rodor, but the Prince is being foolish for doing so. I trust Gawain to more than hold up his end but he will be outnumbered!" Arthur observed.

Mithian sighed sadly in the corner. Perhaps Prince Kay had done things to her and the others over the past week. Still he was her brother no matter how distant or estranged they were. She wiped Worry's mists from her eyes with a curt swipe of her hand. She would project her office no matter how much it killed her to do so. No one asks for sorcery, it seems. We should go after him ourselves. Still….

"Begging your pardon, Sire," one of the guards called to Rodor. "Merlin insists on being admitted. Should I allow it?"

Mithian glared at the subordinate. Are you kidding me? How much more does Merlin HAVE TO DO ALREADY?

Rodor shook his head at her before declaring, "Yes of course! Merlin, please join us. We have need of your counsel!"

"At once, Your Highness," Merlin hustled under the tent and over to Mithian's side. "Are you all right?"

"Merlin, we have a battle and you're occupied with….?" Arthur inquired incredulously. "If you're going to help then stop being an idiot!"

Mithian nodded reassuringly to her love. "I'll be all right. Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Are you sure?" Merlin queried.

She smiled. I'll be fine. Get over there before the Once and Future Prat throws a bigger fit already. She rolled her eyes at her former fiancé.

Merlin somehow restrained his response to only a small chuckle before kissing her on the forehead and heading toward the table. "Sorry, Kings Rodor and Arthur."

"Priorities, Merlin," Arthur groused not understanding where his servant's mind was at times.

"Merlin, it is understandable. Arthur, I'm sure Mithian has addressed this with you. I will do so now. While you're in my company, be it here or in Nemeth, you will stop calling Merlin an idiot. Taking a minute to insure everything is balanced is a noble quality. Remember we are all here trying to help you," Rodor insisted.

"He is my servant, King Rodor. He is here to serve me not to fawn all over your daughter. We are arguing because you can't control Prince Kay's rashness. Perhaps if my servant is now ready, we can do something?" Arthur turned toward an embarrassed Merlin. "What say you, Merlin? We could use one of your insights right about now."

Merlin felt tempted to pull some sorcerous prank to put Arthur in his place—king or not. Still he fought the urge. Perhaps his friend and sovereign played the prat but that didn't mean he would stoop to that level.

Merlin, please don't be foolish. Remember, Father is watching you, she reminded him. For me?

For you. Merlin sighed deeply recalling his duty. "I do have a plan in mind, Sire. It's simple. Take out the head and the serpent dies."

"Excuse me?" Arthur frowned incredulously. "You're talking gibberish!"

"He means if we remove Meleagant from the equation, his men will not want to fight us and your subjects inside of the walls," she pointed out.

"And I suppose you can simply wish yourselves over the walls now?" Arthur supposed sarcastically.

"Arthur, enough!" Rodor chided sharply. "Mithian, do you and he…teleport?"

"We can but it's draining, Father. Kilgarrah can fly us over the wall. Once inside, we can stick to the shadows and slip through the crowd to Meleagant. Once there we defeat him and bring him back here," she explained. "Hopefully before Kay tries to battle him on his own."

Merlin nodded thoughtfully. Her plan seemed to cover everything. He would add the use of an invisibility spell but the two rulers didn't need to know that at the moment. "We should go to Prince Kay's assistance. With your leave?"

"Go then. Protect Prince Kay and bring him back. Defeat Meleagant and do the same," Arthur concurred.

"As say I. Be careful, you two. At least put some chain mail and a breast plate on. Have weapons as well, Merlin," Rodor agreed.

"Aye," Merlin indicated while accepting a chain mail shirt from her. "This may be what I have to work with?"

She tugged a belt with a sword and scabbard around his waist and cinched it tightly. "As King Rodor said, weapons, Merlin." She arched an eyebrow. As if I'm going to let you die on me? Not you and not my brother! Come on! "Father, we shall return." With a slight bow, she left the enclosure.

With a look, Rodor motioned toward his daughter and then to Merlin in reminder of their earlier conversation.

Merlin nodded with a smile and then bowed as well. He rushed after her finding that she already sat on Kilgarrah's back waiting for him.

"Merlin, be careful! You don't know what he has waiting for you both in there," Gaius advised.

"We will be. You take care and be back soon," Merlin assured him before adding a brief hug. He then climbed up onto the Great Dragon's back behind Mithian. "Are we ready?"

"To decide the fate of the Realm or a stage of it at least. Much more remains, I fear," Kilgarrah declared while taking off for the city walls.

Gaius frowned anxiously. Granted he always worried when his charge threw himself into battle. Still this time, it seemed to be different. Their foundations were shifting. Alliances were changing. Even if Camelot was regained, how would it look or function?

Take care, Merlin and Princess Mithian! Look out for each other in the inferno's path!