Chapter 20

Wearing his new armor, Merlin dug his heals in and and held his ground, refusing to budge an inch under the onslaught of magic hammering away at his defenses. The shield that he had conjured glittered brightly in the afternoon sunlight, sparkling a brighter gold wherever his opponent's spells connected exploding across the surface of his magic with a sensation that left Merlin's skin buzzing, but never cracking under the pressure. He had no idea how long he had been holding this shield. Time got a little iffy when he was focused so completely on something

The attacks from the mage across the field from him were coming slower and slower as his energy flagged. Finally after another minute or so, the man dropped his hands panting. He signaled defeat with a white cloth from his pocket.

Merlin let his shield fall, letting out a sigh of relief. He was not feeling truly fatigued from the long magic use as he drew a sleeve across his forehead.

"Bloody hell, man," his opponent called, looking stuck between admiration and jealousy. "That was ten solid minutes and you didn't even falter."

Merlin shrugged self consciously scratching the back of his head. "I've always had more magic than I knew what to do with." He said truthfully. It had been a serious problem when he was living in Ealdor, back before he learned to really control his magic. It had come bursting out of him at random times, leaping up to meet his needs before he even knew what they were. It had been extraordinarily dangerous, never knowing when his magic was going to flare up or to what end, always looking over his shoulder to make absolutely certain that he was completely alone.

Several times, back in Ealdor, he had gone out into the woods by himself, or later with Will at his side, and just poured out his magic in whatever way he could, hoping to exhaust himself to the point that his magic would settle down. That had never really worked as well as he had hoped. However, it had been adequate at the time.

Only when he moved to Camelot had he managed to get a grip on himself properly. With advice from Gaius and the metaphorical ax hanging over his head, the looming threat of execution was a much better motivator than any warning his mother ever could have come up with to try and keep him in line.

"Well I think your shielding is up to par," Sir Frederick, the mage to whom Duranbolt had delegated the task of training the new recruits, said with a wry twist of his lips as he jogged over to the sidelines. "Any enemy of yours will wear himself out long before he manages to break through a shield that strong. Of course, that doesn't mean that you should rely on that sort of shield completely. They only protect you from one angle, and they take up your concentration and leave you vulnerable to attacks from the rear and sides."

"Are there shields that wrap around entirely?" Merlin asked curiously. If he had to focus entirely on sustaining that one spell, then it seemed like it would be more of a hindrance than a help. Unless he was fighting only one opponent, in which case, he felt that he would be more likely to take the offensive approach rather than hide behind a shield. He would want the battle over and done with as quickly as possible.

"There are." Sir Frederick said approvingly. "There are different spells that can take different shapes, but they take considerably more power to maintain."

"I really don't think that will be a problem for him," the exhausted mage pointed out. " I threw everything I've got at him and he's not even winded."

"Sir Frederick nodded and shrugged at the same time, having to concede the point. "You're tapped out for the day, Timmons. Head on over and get some sword practice." he said waving the mage off toward the adjacent field where a number of secular knights were running through their forms and stances with blunted practice swords flashing as they cut through the air.

Merlin could see Lord Ellison there, clad in chain mail, gambeson, and engaged in a sparring session. Even from this distance, Merlin could see that Ellison was a talented swordsman, if a little unnecessarily aggressive in his style. However, Merlin suspected that was only because the council was currently holed up in discussions and Ellison, as one of the subjects of debate, was not allowed to participate.

It wasn't long before his eyes wandered to his beautiful wife, moving gracefully as she was engaged in sword practice with one of the female mage warriors. Currently she was holding her own rather successfully.

Frederick, noticing Merlin's distraction said thoughtfully, "And send for Merlin's wife, will you? She has some serious power. Let's see how she holds up against Merlin."

Timmons nodded and jogged off the field as Frederick explained the new spells to Merlin, walking him through the first incantation a time or two. By the time Morgana joined them, Merlin was fairly confident in his ability to cast the spell. The language of the old religion had always come easily to him, ever since the first time he had picked up the book Gaius had given him and found he could read the foreign words written inside without ever having been taught their meaning as if he already knew them on some level.

Timmons had notified Morgana of Frederick's instruction and she had ended her practice to turn her attention to her husband still across the field. Morgana contacted him through their bond. "Well Emrys, it seems we are to duel. Are you you up for it my love?"

Merlin smiled at his wife's bravado knowing very well he was more powerful than her. The dragonfasting had increased her power level so what difference had laid between them was substantially less.

"I am ready luv." He paused. "I do want to try something new."

Morgana simply smiled and said "Bring your best. You never know. I might defeat you."

Merlin looked momentarily worried. Morgana had increased in power since their dragon fasting. When they used their power together, they were formidable. They had not practiced sword fighting much since they had started their quest, finding it more useful and intoxicating to use their magic together. But the Goddess whispered assurance to him that everything would be fine.

Feeling better Merlin said, "Remember our deal to cushion the fall if it happens."

Morgana smiled. "Of course my love. I want you well for other activities."

Merlin sent her the equivalent of a kiss with his huge grin that melted Morgana's heart every time she saw it.

"Go on then Merlin," Sir Frederick called, moving back out of the line of fire.

Merlin settled himself into a defensive stance, breathing deeply to center himself. He reached deep down inside himself to that place in the pit of his stomach that always felt hot, calling upon the warm presence that was his magic, drawing it forth until it hummed in his fingertips and danced along his skin like the crackle of lightening. It was a rush as it always was, that feeling of power and pure energy, exhilarating in a way that nothing else could ever hope to be, except for the times he spent with Morgana and their magic connected doing anything./sp

"Befielde mec aeghwaessidrande," he intoned, lifting his hands above his head and bringing them down again slowly, leaving in their wake a wash of golden light. It enclosed him from head to foot, a luminous bubble of protection that Merlin could feel, could sense as an extension of himself. Once it was fully in place, he saw Morgana slide into a ready stance across from him, already forming words of the old religion on her lips causing her own shield to appear.

Merlin barely felt the first spell connect. It glanced off his shield as if it were nothing more than a gust of wind, a splash of cool water, strong though he knew Morgana to be.

The next was stronger, a wash of her magic questing across his own, seductive and distracting, pushing and testing for weak spots that it didn't find, and this time, Merlin felt the vacuum left in its wake as it receded. It felt as if his own magic was being drawn out with it; like eager to stay with like. His magic and hers wanted to stay together and the feeling almost brought him to his knees. He dropped his shield and connected with Morgana through their channel sending her the equivalent of a passionate hug and a kiss. "I want more of that from you later my beautiful wife."

"As do I husband. But now we must practice." She sent attack after attack on his shield, each one stronger than the last. Each one revealing more of his wife's essence to him. It was almost orgasmic as he felt the insistent push and tug against the edges of his mind that was the brush of Morgana's magic against his own. Merlin so wanted to stop and transport himself and his beautiful wife to the privacy of their chambers, but Morgana insisted they continue, at least for now. It was becoming a most difficult test of his control.

An idea formed in Merlin's head. It was risky, impossible according to what he had been told, but he had accomplished the impossible before, and the result would be worth it if the risk paid off. Merlin closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the throb of energy through his body, pulled along his blood, released through his palms and his fingertips to enter the air around him and become reality. Merlin extended one hand to the side, focusing on the feeling channeling magic in that direction and keeping the flow of it steady and constant down his arm and out his fingertips and to the shield.

The influx of Morgana's assault was a distraction Merlin barely resisted as he poured more magic into his shield, making it thicker and more resistant to soften the blows to his self control.

But he thought maybe a little offensive magic was in order. HE sent a blast towards Morgana, that did not hurt her, but connected with her magic and her erogenous zones.

Morgana closed her eyes as Merlin's magic shook her to her core and caused her to momentarily drop her shield. She whispered in climax, "No fair my love,"

Merlin laughed in delight at the effect he had on his beautiful wife. "I want so to take you now my love."

Morgana's shield came up again, "Soon my love. soon."

Morgana's attacks became more intense and more erotic and Merlin could see her smiling at him, at the turmoil it was causing him. He clenched his jaw to force himself to concentrate, distancing himself from the call of his body, proverbially putting it in a box so his mind was in control to think through his repertoire of spells.

Morgana's attacks were persistent and he had to stop briefly when his hold on the shield faltered ever so slightly, Morgana's magic was digging into his weaknesses and trying to make it crack.

Merlin took another deep breath and re-established his connection with his shield through his left hand, repairing the damage before he tried again, holding the shield steady as he thought of a different spell entirely. He managed to raise his other hand in front of him, closing his eyes briefly in order to better concentrate on what he was doing.

"Todrife pone widerwinnan," he gritted out, struggling to pull his magic in two directions at once, to split the flow of it in half and channel it towards different purposes. To his immense gratification, it worked. The shield stayed where it was, still functioning as it was meant to with only a slight flicker of weakness. A second push of magic sent Morgana flying off her feet./span/span/span/p
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Merlin was glad they had practiced the suspension spells as he cushioned her fall. The effort left Merlin a little lightheaded, but now he knew that it could be done. It was possible to perform two spells at once, to throw out an attack while maintaining a magical shield, despite what Sir Frederick had initially claimed.

Merlin let the shield fall gratefully, panting now as Sir Timmons had been earlier. He hurried across the field to Morgana who lay winded. He checked her for injuries apologizing profusely.

Morgana smiled as she caught her breath and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. "Do not worry husband, I am fine," she smirked up at him as he was just as winded now as she was. "You must show me how you did that so I can practice on you tomorrow."

Merlin grimaced half aroused and half in fear until Morgana pulled him to her again and kissed him thoroughly. The turquoise sparks lit the air around them as they were suddenly lost in each other and forgot there were others around.

Sir Frederick was too thunderstruck to speak. Sir Gerund and Sir Duranbolt had arrived at some point during the duel and were standing at Sir Frederick's side gaping openly. Really everyone on the entire field and the field adjacent, and those walking past, all seemed to have stopped what they were doing to stare at the couple in astonishment.

Morgana pulled away smiling at Merlin and gesturing to their audience. Merlin tugged at his new chain mail, the neck of it suddenly feeling too tight around his throat.

"How...how did you do that?" Sir Frederick finally managed to choke out.

"I just wanted to see if it could be done," Merlin said a bit defensively, uncomfortable with all the attention. Magical multi-tasking, two spells at once, I mean, protection and offense. I don't want to need to wait until my opponent has completely exhausted himself," he smiled at his wife, "or herself...and stops attacking before I can safely return fire."

Morgana was laughing through their bond at the attention Merlin was getting. Her magnificent husband was finally getting the attention he deserved.

Merlin turned to grimace at her momentarily.

"Impossible!" a stodgy looking old man cried from behind the fence on the perimeter of the magical training field.

Merlin thought he must have been one of the lesser council members. If he wasn't still shut up in the council chambers, then they must have concluded their session for the day without coming to a decision. There surely would have been an announcement if they had.

"It can't be done! It simply can't be!"

"Obviously it can," Sir Gerund pointed out. "That's astounding Merlin."

"Is it really?" He asked dubiously. A number of secular knights had gathered by the fence as well nudging each other and shaking their heads in something like wonder.

"Ellison didn't join them, opting instead to stab his sword into the ground where his sparring partner had abandoned him.

Merlin couldn't read his expression across the distance, but he didn't look particularly pleased with the attention Merlin was getting, not that Merlin was any more pleased with it. He didn't need more reasons for Ellison to dislike him.

"It's unprecedented!" Sir Frederick exclaimed. "I have never heard tell of someone achieving such a thing."

Merlin flushed darkly, partly pleased, partly embarrassed. It wasn't like it would be the first thing he had achieved that no one else had, but that didn't make it any less alienating to be the only person capable of such a thing.

A glance back at the other field showed that Ellison was halfway back to the castle, leaving his practice sword stuck in the ground in the middle of the training field.

"Would you be able to teach me?" one of the other recruits asked eagerly putting a hand on Merlin's shoulder.

Merlin looked at the young knight surprised but considering it. "I could try. you just need to split your attention..." he began, but he was interrupted by an urgent cry.

Sir Duranbolt!" they all turned to see a knight hurrying toward them from the direction of the castle, his blue cloak fluttering in his wake.

Duranbolt stepped forward, waving him down. "What is it Sir Galahad?" he asked. "What's happened?"

"There has been another report from the Isle of the Blessed." Sir Galahad told him. "There has been direct contact."

""Was anyone hurt? Duranbolt asked.

"No but it was a close call. Some Druids said that the evil tried to recruit them to its cause. They refused and there was a fight, but no fatalities.

Duranbolt's expression tightened further and Merlin got a heavy sinking feeling of dread in his stomach. This must be the reason the Goddess had given him and Morgana immortality from the cup of life. Along with the protective clothing and the staves.

Morgana shared his concern and understanding of the seriousness of the situation through their bond. She knew the time was fast approaching when they would be put to the test and have to face the evil.

"Duranbolt," Merlin said, stepping close so that his voice would not carry, "You speak of the evil on the Isle of the Blessed do you not?"

Duranbolt nodded sharply, his jaw clenched. "It has been a growing presence for too long." he said. "It threatens our way of life, our very existence."

Merlin nodded in agreement as he said, "This is what the Goddess warned Morgana and I about. It is part of her mandate. She sent us here to recruit the help of my family," Merlin gazed meaningfully at Duranbolt, "the people of Caledonia."

"She also said that there is another group of people who have prepared for many years to help us in this quest and I fear there is no way to stop the evil except in an out right battle."

"We must act now. Let us inform the council that they have run out of time to bicker. Their decision must be made now." Duranbolt immediately turned to lead the way back toward the castle.

Merlin and Morgana did not hesitate to follow him this time.

Morgana matched Merlin's stride, taking his hand without missing a beat. This enemy was their responsibility and together, they would do anything to stop the evil from coming to the people of Caledonia. They would prevent suffering the way too many had suffered already.