Chapter 22
She had already dreamed about this, many times.
She was laying on the floor, surrounded by corpses. Hundreds... Thousands... Too many to even count.
Between them, red and black banners stood out, showing the allegiances that those men once had.
A raven was sitting on one of their helmets. It cawed and flew away.
There was a sword stuck in the ground. She recognized it, it was Arthur's.
An old man walked until he was just above her. Emrys.
She stretched her arm towards him, as she had always done in this dream.
"Help me, Emrys. Please," Morgana said. Once again, her hand had no wrinkles.
"Is this really what you wanted, Morgana?" Emrys asked.
"Please..." she begged, with her hand still extended towards her enemy.
Morgana knew that the dream had to end there, but it didn't.
All of the sudden, a sword came piercing through Emrys' chest and his eyes opened wide as blood poured out of the wound.
As he started to fall, the sword still stuck in his chest, Morgana was able to see the one who had saved her.
Merlin was rushing towards her, his face filled with worry. He kneeled and started healing her.
"You'll be fine Morgana, I promise you, you'll be fine," he said, between spells. "Please don't leave me, please," he added, in a voice that sounded like he was trying hard not to cry.
Morgana wanted to answer him, but she was tired... so tired... "Goodbye, my love," she managed to say, in a low voice.
"No! Morgana! MORGANA!"
Merlin's screams woke her up. As he gasped for air, her eyes instinctively glowed gold and the bonfire in the middle of the cave lit with a raging fire. Still trying to catch her breath, she mumbled a word and the fire calmed down. Using magic unintentionally hadn't happened to her in a long time, but then again, she had never had a vision such as this one.
My love? She would never call someone that, especially not Merlin... True, he was funny, and she had always liked that smile of his— NO! He was her enemy, he worked with Emrys, but... he had killed Emrys, he had killed Emrys for her... and then she died...
What the hell did this dream mean? Would Merlin actually side with her against Arthur? After their last talk she was sure that it would never happen. And what? Would she have to die for the kingdom to be free from Emrys? Who would fix things then? Would Merlin be up to the task?
Too many unanswered questions... and still the thing that disturbed her the most was the way she had called Merlin. She almost regretted sleeping without her healing bracelet, or Merlin's necklace, but she knew that it was something that she had to do; many strange things were happening in Camelot and anything she could learn was very valuable. Not that she had learned anything valuable from this last dream... right?
She splashed her face with some water she kept in the cave and then went outside to take a walk. She needed to get this dream out of her head, and fast.
Morgana hadn't taken more than ten steps outside when she heard her name being called. For some reason she turned expecting to see Merlin, but instead, standing there was one of the last people she would expect to see.
"Alvarr," she said. "How you dare coming here after what you've done!?" she asked, in a demanding voice.
"And what is exactly what I've done if I may ask?" he asked, looking genuinely intrigued.
"Don't play with me! You sent me to Emrys to die!" Morgana exclaimed.
"What are you talking about? I've just told you who Emrys was, I didn't force you to run to his meeting, that was your own decission," Alvarr said, in a calm voice.
"Well... that may be true," Morgana said, realizing he had a point there, "but you still lied to me; Dragoon wasn't Emrys."
"He wasn't?"
"Don't act so surprised, you probably knew it already."
"I didn't, my lady," he said, shaking slightly his head.
The words came out of his mouth in a way made Morgana believe him, but then again, he had that ability.
"And what about Mordred and Kara?" she asked. "You used them! You almost killed them both!"
"To kill Arthur Pendragon and free this land of his oppression!" Alvarr exclaimed, like it was obvious. "Why do you act so surprised? You would have done the same."
"I would definitely not," Morgana said in a firm voice. "They are your people, how can you sacrifice them so easily."
"Morgana, how many men did you lose attacking Camelot? Hundredths? Do you ever mourned any of them? Just one?" he asked. "Of course not," he himself answered, after Morgana didn't. "Kara is just a pawn and Mordred... well, he's on Arthur's side now. He's the enemy."
Once again, his words made sense. Not that she liked what he was saying but... could she blame someone for doing the same thing she had done for so long?
"Why did you come here?" Morgana asked, escaping her thoughts.
He took a step towards her. "I'm here because I need your help. I'm planning something big, Morgana, something that will destroy Camelot, once and for all. And I want you by my side."
"I have no interested in being another pawn for you to sacrifice," she said.
He took another step towards her. "Morgana, after I'm done with this land I will be king, not only of Camelot, but of all Albion. I want you to be my queen."
"Your queen?" she asked.
"Are you really that surprised? Who better to help me bring magic back to this land? Who better to reign besides me? Just say yes and all of Albion will be yours."
Morgana studied him while he gave her a charming smile. Becoming the ruler of all Albion... she hadn't imagine that even in her wildest dreams. She would be able to help sorcerers not only in Camelot, but everywhere else too. If what Alvarr was saying was the truth, she would be a fool not to accept his offer... still, she remembered how Morgouse used to say that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is, and Alvarr had a long history of using people and then disposing of them. There was also the small matter of her not loving him, but she wouldn't be the first queen to marry for power.
"And what guarantee do I have that you won't betray me just as you betrayed Mordred?" Morgana asked, remembering how Alvarr abandoned Mordred when he was a young boy.
"I would never betray you Morgana, you know better than that," Alvarr answered, widening his smile.
As she had expected, that answer didn't tell her anything. Just more words. She had to know if he could actually deliver what he promised. She wondered if there was any chance she would ever call Alvarr 'my love'. She didn't think so.
"What's your plan?" she asked him.
Once again, he smiled. "I can't tell you that Morgana, not yet, not until I know that I can trust you."
Of course he wouldn't tell her, he was just luring her with promises of things he knew she wanted. He needed to have the power, the control. She would play his game a bit longer, at least until she had learned something of value. Would Alvarr even shed a tear if she died? She knew that Merlin would— No! That never happened!... Not yet, at least...
"And what exactly would it take for you to trust me?" Morgana asked, raising her eyebrows in question.
"I'll know when I can trust you, Morgana," he answered, and starting walking towards her. "The first time we saw each other you were just a young girl, fighting your father's tyranny, and look at you now, you have turn into such a beautiful woman."
Morgana saw him approaching with a charming smile and immediately knew what his intentions were.
"Alvarr, stop right there," she told him, pushing him back.
"Come on, Morgana, you know you want it, I've seen how you looked at me," Alvarr said, grabbing her by the shoulders and moving his lips towards hers.
"I've said STOP!" Morgana yelled, and her eyes glowed gold, sending Alvarr flying away.
Somehow he managed to land on his feet, and for a second Morgana could see a look of pure hatred in Alvarr's eyes, but then it disappeared. "I apologize," he said, "It seems that I misread the situation."
"Leave this place, now!" Morgana demanded.
"Of course, Morgana," Alvarr said, making a bow, "just think of what I've said," he added, before walking away.
As she looked at him moving farther and farther away, Morgana questioned herself. She wasn't sure if she had done the right thing not accepting his offer. She also wasn't sure if she had done the right thing not blowing him to pieces. She probably should have done at least one of those things.
.
.
Alvarr was moving hastily between the trees, when a man appeared in front of him with a drawn sword.
"It's me Beroun, stand down!" the druid said, in a demanding tone.
The man looked at the newcomer for a few seconds more and then sheathed his sword.
"Did it work?" he simply asked.
"No," Alvarr answered, "Morgana isn't going to help us."
"You know my masters won't be happy about this."
"I've already told them this was a long shot," Alvarr replied. "That damned dragon has changed her, she isn't the same girl who attacked Camelot a year ago."
"Does this mean I should tell him to proceed?" Beroun asked.
"Yes," Alvarr answered, after some time, "she will learn the consequences of standing against us."
The Saxon was already leaving when Alvarr spoke once more. "Beroun , did The Three send any word?"
"Yes, it will start before dark," the man answered, without turning around.
A devious grin appeared in Alvarr's face. "Good, then we better get ready."
.
.
.
"I speak to you... I speak to you over and over and over again and still you don't listen... How am I suppose to help you when you are deaf to my words?
"And yet, I keep talking... I keep talking because there is nothing else for me to do.
"It wasn't always like this, you know? In the beginning I was just a force, a power, an energy, just... floating around. It wasn't until men appeared in this world that I knew my true calling. I was destined to help great men them become what they were meant to be. And so I did, many times, in many different forms.
"I've been a staff that could control the waters and a bow that couldn't miss. I've been an armor that couldn't be pierced and a cloak that hid the one who wore it from the rest of the world. And more... so many more... every time with a different name, but always with the same goal: Glory.
"Glory... if I hadn't been so obsessed with it maybe this wouldn't have happened, maybe I would still be free. And yet I know that I couldn't have done anything else... not after seeing it.
"I was moving through the netherworld when my gaze fell on the most incredible sword I've ever seen. The moment I contemplated that blade, I knew it; I knew that it was meant to be wielded by one of the greatest men who would ever live. And yet, if that was true, why haven't I've been called? Why wasn't I part of it? In my foolishness I thought there had been a mistake, and so I merged with it and waited, waited until the moment we would finally meet.
"The second you held me I realized what my arrogance had made me do. Yes, you were a great men, but one who denied magic so much that my every attempt to contact you was in vein. I've seen you fight your enemies, stand for what you think is right and risk your life for others, and yet... I can't do anything to help you, no matter how much I yell.
"So here I am, stuck, prisoner in a piece of metal with a bearer who doesn't hear a word I say... It's maddening... So for that reason...
"HEAR MY VOICE, ARTHUR PENDRAGON!"
.
.
Two riders were marching through the forest when suddenly one of them stopped and looked around.
"Did you hear something?" he asked.
"Right now? No, nothing," the other one answered, looking around as well.
"It must had been my imagination," Arthur said, making a dismissive gesture.
"So you were telling me about the men that attacked Mordred... Saxons?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, that's what they're called. They come from a place far away from Albion, all the way across the eastern ocean."
"Why are they helping Alvarr? Are they mercenaries?"
"I'm not sure yet, but it looks like that's not the case. From what the knights could gather it seems that they are setting a camp near the coast, but... it's too large for the men they have."
"Do you think they expect reinforcements?"
"Or a whole army..." Arthur said, in a low voice.
"What!?" Merlin asked, not in a low voice.
"I've heard stories of those lands, Merlin. Stories that makes the disputes between the kingdoms of Albion seem like child's play. If at least half of those are true, then their army is far larger than anything Camelot could ever gather. Until now I've never had any reason to worry about them, but if Alvarr somehow managed to convince them to attack us... I fear for the entire kingdom."
"Why don't you stop them now that they are just a few men? Just gather up the knights and march towards them."
"It's not that easy," Arthur said, with a small smile. "They aren't inside Camelot, they are in Essetir. I have no power there. If I sent an army without the consent of the ruler of those lands it would be like declaring war. I've already sent a messenger to speak with King Lot, but... he should have been back days ago."
"Wait... They are in Essetir!? Is Ealdor in danger?" Merlin asked, alarmed.
"Not now, no," answered Arthur, shaking his head, "their camp is far from your town. However if their intent is to attack Camelot..."
"...going through Ealdor would be the obvious route," Merlin finished saying.
"I'm afraid so. Don't worry, if we reach that moment I promise that we will get all of them to safety. I owe them that much."
"So, what do you think happened to the messenger?" Merlin asked, hoping to get another answer but the obvious one.
Arthur made a pause before talking. "While I don't want to admit it, there is a good chance that King Lot has allied with the Saxons."
Merlin nodded, expecting to hear that. "That would mean that we are already at war with him, why don't send the knights then?"
"Because I can't be sure," Arthur answered. "At least not yet," he added.
Merlin was going to say something, but Arthur spoke once again.
"However, it's not all bad news," he said.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, looking at him.
"They are reports of someone causing trouble to the Saxons, but I don't know if I can believe them. They are... bizarre."
"Bizarre?"
"My men said they've seen a sorcerer attacking the Saxon's camp, and that's not all... they also said that he had help... a dragon," Arthur said slowly, looking at Merlin.
"A white dragon!?" Merlin asked, showing too much interest.
"No, why? Do you know any white dragons?" Arthur asked, squinting his eyes.
"Not really, I was just curious," Merlin said, looking away in a hurry.
"Anyway..." Arthur continued, "based on their description it looked exactly like the one who attacked Camelot all those years ago."
That made Merlin open his eyes wide. The sorcerer was obviously Dragoon, and while it was good to know that he was alive and helping them, Merlin still had a score to settle with him for how he had tricked him with the book. However, what really surprised Merlin was that the dragon seemed to be Kilgharrah. It had been a very long time since they have talked for the last time, and after all Dragoon told him about the dragon, Merlin didn't know what to expect from him.
"That's... weird, but I think we have to be grateful that bad things are happening to our enemies for a change," Merlin said, grinning.
"Right?" Arthur said, smiling back.
A noise made them look ahead, where a small man was approaching towards them. He wasn't that old, but his bald head and hunched back made him look a lot older than he was, and his ragged clothes didn't help.
"Are... are you Arthur Pendragon?" the man asked to the blond young man wearing a crown.
"I am," Arthur answered, not very accustomed to people not knowing who he was. "Who are you?"
"Oh, who am I it's not important, what I bring is what is important," he said, with a proud smile on his face.
Arthur waited for the man to keep talking, but he didn't. "So, what do you bring?"
"What? Oh, right, yes!" The man grabbed a satchel he was carrying and started to search for something. "Where is it?... Where is it?..."
The man took out a shiny rock from his satchel and put it back in. Then he did the same with a few twigs that were strangely shaped, two seashells, one broken shoe and what looked like the beak of a chicken. Finally, his face lit and he grabbed a parchment and a large gold coin. Then, clearing his throat, the man opened the parchment and started reading.
"I'm here on behalf of the Disir to pass judgment on Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future Ring... Ring?" he asked, making a confused face. "Oh, no, wait," the man licked his thumb and rubbed the paper, "that's it, sorry, it was my fault. Probably shouldn't had left the food in there for so long, but it was a long journey, you know? And I didn't even had a horse. They could have given me a horse at least!" His face turned worried and he looked up. "Not that I'm complaining, of course," he said, making a forced smile.
Arthur looked at Merlin trying to get an explanation of what was going on, but Merlin just shook his head and raised his shoulders.
Arthur looked at the man in front of them, who was still looking at the sky. "Who is this Disir you talk about?" he asked.
The man eyes opened and he looked at him. "You don't know about the Disir?" he asked, like that was plainly impossible. "It's the highest court of the Old Religion!" he explained. "Three women," he said, raising two fingers, "are chosen at birth. They interpret the word on the Triple Goddess herself. How could you not know about them?"
"Actually, that's a good question," said Merlin. "You would think that after all this years in Camelot we would have heard of them."
"Merlin... you are not helping," Arthur said, looking at him. "So, what's is this about passing judgment on me?" he asked to the man.
"Oh, yes," he said, looking again at the paper. "No man is above the Disir, however royal. It is my duty to pass their judgment on to you... yadda yadda yadda...," he mumbled, skimming through the text. "You have waged war on the people of the Old Religion, now the ancient gods answer you... a bit more metaphorical stuff... Oh, I like this part... For even as Camelot flowers, the seeds of her destruction are being sown," he said, in a deep mysterious voice.
The man looked up with a smile, and when no one smiled back at him, he went back to the paper.
"It is not too late, Arthur Pendragon. Not too late to find the true path. Redeem yourself. No further chance shall be given," he said, and slowly closed the parchment.
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A/N: I hope you liked it!
A shorter chapter this time :p
Finally Alvarr appears as a character again! And of course, he is up to no good.
Enmyria (Alvarr's "girlfriend") isn't anywehere because she's supposed to have been killed when the knights attacked the druid camp in "The Witch's Quickening".
Also, the Disir messenger is a bit more interesting than the real one xD, and he doesn't get killed (for now at least).
Since they never said much about Albion geography, I've decided that Essetir in the eastern coast, which let's the Saxons use it as a landing spot (because they came from what's now Europe).
Thanks AndreKl, CHARLES CHUKU, AJsRandom, mersan123, Patiku, General E, shell22, Guest, hithere and Lady Flurryous for the reviews =D