Merlin's Chosen
Summary: Arthur has slept in Avalon, the otherworldly place just beyond the reach of magic for all but Merlin and his chosen, recovering from the injuries sustained in the battle at Camlann. Years have passed and times have changed and Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has taken it's place on the edge of the Lake of Avalon, unknown to modern witches and wizards. The world is in need of the Once and Future King to protect Albion again but to do that the immortal Merlin, the man that has learned to live backwards, must be there and he is nowhere to be found. It is now the job of Merlin's Chosen. Only, Harry Potter thinks he's going mental.
This is based on the mountains that are around the movie version of Hogwarts and the lake that Merlin takes Freya to in Season 2 Episode 9.
Chapter 15:
There was something in the air. He could feel it. He also knew that every dragon on the Reserve felt it too. There was some sort of restless anticipation among the younger dragons and a resigned fear among the elders that Charlie was surprised that the rest of the handlers didn't feel it too.
Charlie Weasley didn't know what to make of the cloaked visitor that seemed to charm the Reserve Director into a guided tour of the Dragon Paddocks, especially when the Dragons seemed to be more restless each paddock they passed.
"Ah! Charlie!" His director's welsh accent was thick but somehow reassuring. "How are the dragon's this morning?"
"Restless, sir," he answered. "I think they tire of all this mist same as us." Charlie eyed the stranger. "What brings you out to the paddocks this morning, sir? Taking a break from all the paperwork?"
"This friend of mine has taken an interest in the dragons and wanted to take a look around." The manager's voice lowered. "And hinted at a possible donation for the paddock upgrades the Minister refused.
Charlie's eyebrows shot up. "Really? That's great! I know some of our old timers are getting cranky because of the cramped spaces they've had to deal with."
"Speaking of your old timers," the posh voice of the stranger rang out. "I heard you have a rather rare white dragon on your reserve. Might I see her?"
An uneasy feeling settled in Charlie's stomach but he couldn't stop his boss from leading the stranger/possible benefactor toward the oldest parts of the reserve. He did follow however, with wand in hand and attempted to sooth those ruffled scales at every gate they passed.
The director was rambling off various facts of each of the dragon they passed and the stranger was nodding politely, or at least that's what it seemed like as his hood bobbed up and down. Charlie stopped his musings to realize that it wasn't the fact that the possible benefactor was wearing a hood. He would be too against the mist if it didn't block most of his peripheral vision. Being so blind would mean death when dealing with such wily creatures. For Charlie, it was the creepy and death vibe the guy gave off with each shift of his cloak against the wet ground.
Charlie was broken out of his musings with a joyful exclaim. "Ah, here we are! To tell you the truth we don't see her very often but maybe we can coax her out." The stranger seemed to be staring at the cave opening. Apprehension seemed to roll off him in direct contrast to the haughtiness he was giving off mere moments ago.
There was a sudden gust of cold air that made Charlie shiver and there was the white dragon, right at the gate roaring and breathing fire. Charlie thought he heard "Good to see you too, Aithusa," just before his manager crumbled and the stranger reached for the locked gate.
"Stupefy!" The spell was out of his mouth and traveling for the man for Charlie really realized what he had done.
The man's wet cloak whipped around his feet as he turned to face Charlie, but even as the spell hit him it did nothing. "I really wish you hadn't done that," he said and waved his hand.
Charlie was pushed back but considering he was used to working with dragons the force did little more than throw him off balance which he quickly recovered. He threw off a silent bombarta, a spell that would have been much more powerful if he was able to say it aloud, and it threw the man against the reinforced wooden gate. The man stood with a fierce growl, his hood slipping from his head.
"Sirius?"
The man smirked and shot off another spell. Charlie threw up a shield but he wasn't sure if it was going to work. Then nothing. Charlie opened up his eyes and stared a the empty space in front of him.
"Peace, Wizard," a voice said and Charlie was shocked to realize that the white dragon was speaking to him. "I managed to block his spell before he fled."
Charlie shook off the shock, but continued to stare in awe. "Who was he?"
"An enemy Emrys defeated long ago returned to earth," the dragon said. "Tell his Chosen that the Warlock once again walks the earth."
"I will," Charlie whispered as the dragon retreated into her cave. "Wait! Who?" Charlie only heard a high pitch chuckle. After a moment Charlie knew he wasn't going to get answers and rushed to help the director.
It was only later, as he lay on the cusp of sleep did he realize with a jolt that he had heard a dragon speak something that hadn't happened in hundreds of years according to legend and he wasn't entirely sure what to do with that information.
Merlin was starting to realize what it truly meant to be tired. None of them truly slept as they made their way back to Camelot as quickly as their horses would allow to finish the preparations for Morgause and her army. Merlin leaned against the column as soldiers and courtiers scurried around him and the courtyard. He let his eyes fall shut for a moment seeking that peaceful moment of sleep.
"Come along, Merlin," Arthur's voice was surprisingly kind and Merlin could see he looked just as tired Merlin felt. "Everything is nearly in place. Now we must play our parts."
"Play our parts indeed," Merlin whispered as he made his way to the lower town.
Merlin walked through the market place and he could tell that as the day wore on the more anxious the towns people became as they tried to maintain the easy going air of the normal villagers.
Merlin was just about to head back to the citadel when one of the many magic traps he laid in the nearby forest floor tripped with a quiet buzz in his ear. He casually scanned the forest line looking for a reason to raise the alarm that wouldn't raise questions later.
"Merlin?" Gawain's quiet voice broke into his thoughts. "They're here, aren't they?"
Merlin nodded and Gawain gave the signal. "I'm headed to the castle. Tell your men not to do anything until the warning bell."
"They know, Merlin. Just get to the king."
Merlin gave a smile and a loud laugh before clapping Gawain on the shoulder, greeted Lancelot, before heading toward the castle at a leisurely pace, pausing a few times to barely glance at the various wares before moving on. He nodded at the guards posted, seemingly in greeting but really to affirm that the attack was eminent. Merlin was glad to see they didn't even flinch.
Elyan jogged down the steps to meet him, no doubt having seen the signal. "The king's been looking for you, Merlin. Yelling something about the stocks."
Merlin laughed. "He needs some better threats, but I better find out what His Pratness needs."
Merlin found the king in his chambers looking out the window at the courtyard. "They have entered the forest and we are waiting for them to enter the city."
"Did we do the right thing?"
"We did the best we could under the circumstances, Your Highness."
Arthur snorted. "Don't get respectful now, Merlin. It unsettles me."
"Nonetheless, the villagers are safe and the army is very well trained. Everyone knows the plan and if all goes well, it will be over before dawn."
"That is exactly what I am afraid of."
A knock sounded at the door and George peeked in. "Dinner is ready, my lord. Will you have it in here or the Great Hall."
"The Great Hall, George. Please inform Guinevere and tell her that I would love for her to join me."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Arthur?" Merlin questioned as the king pulled on his chainmail and strapped his sword around his middle.
"I wish Guinevere to be as close as possible and not locked in her rooms."
"Oh, I know. I am just wondering if you know she intended to go to dinner with a sword within reach and breeches under her gown."
Merlin only beamed at the almost carefree laughter from the king as they made there way down to dinner. They met the queen, Elyan, and her lady's maid just outside the main doors and Arthur shot a pointed glance at Elyan who sported two sheathed swords. He merely shrugged and gestured to his sister who just smile demurely taking Arthur's proffered arm.
"I would say that it is not proper, but then I know I would only pay for such a remark." Merlin heard Arthur whisper.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, my lord," Gwen whispered back. Merlin could tell that Arthur was fighting a laugh as he escorted his wife to her seat and then took his own.
Conversation was sparse and stilted among the assembled nobles and knights as they all waited for the warning bell to sound. There was almost a collective sigh of relief when it did go off just before the main course was to be served.
Arthur calmly stood as the bell tolled over and over again. "You all know the plan. Now go and attend your stations."
From there the room was controlled chaos as Gaius commanded the servants to ready the room for the wounded. Guinevere was in the antechamber working on removing her skirts while Merlin was attaching the plate armor he had stashed earlier over Arthur's chainmail.
Merlin could feel the tension in Arthur's body as he tightened the various buckles. "We all know the plan, Arthur. And Morgana won't betray us."
There was the slightest flinch at the sound of his sister's name. "How do you know?"
Merlin turned away to grab Excalibur, trading it for Arthur's normal sword. "I just know." Merlin smiled. "For Camelot."
"For Albion." Then the king was out the door with Elyan and Leon in tow. Merlin assisted Gaius with the last of the field hospital preparations and looked up as Gwen rushed over.
"I will watch the door with a few of the palace guards," Gwen said hurrying over the Merlin. "To provide cover for the injured."
Merlin nodded. "Just be careful, my lady," he called.
The sounds of battle were just started to reach their ears from the court yard and the injured just starting to arrive when Merlin felt another ping just inside his ear. "The catacombs," he nearly shouted at Gaius.
"What, Merlin?"
"We forgot about the catacombs!" Merlin pulled a stunned Lancelot, who had just arrived with a wounded soldier, and raced through the halls down into the dungeons and into the catacombs.
"Merlin?" Lancelot asked but Merlin shushed him. Merlin could hear people at the end of the hall, just around the corner and knew the instant Lancelot realized what was happening. At the knights wide-eyed look Merlin nodded and rounded the corner.
"This is not your fight, Emrys," Mordred said as Merlin took in the sight that greeted him. Mordred stood at the head of a motley crew of of Merlin took to be young, barely trained magic users who were all gapping at him at the mere mention of Emrys.
"You know that isn't true, Mordred," Merlin said.
"This man is Emrys?" One of Mordred's lackeys asked. Mordred could only nod. "You did not tell us we would be facing Emrys. We will not fight against him and you knew that." The man merely gestured behind him and he along with the other magic users fled the way that they came.
"I merely meant that this was between family, Merlin." Merlin was confused as the Druid boy turned man turned and left the way that he came. Merlin felt all of them leave the wards he had placed and sucked in a breath.
"What just happened?" Lancelot asked.
"I have no idea but we should head up to help Arthur," Merlin said.
"I would say that you need to get back to Gaius, but I know that won't happen."
"Gaius will understand."
"Some how I don't think that is true and we both should be ready for a scolding when this is over," Lancelot said as they raced through the corridors of the citadel. "What are you going to do about the other magic users. They know you're Emrys now."
Merlin skidded to a stop right in front of the main doors. "Considering they left of their own accord and admitted they will not fight against me, nothing. If that changes then so will I." Merlin peeked through the partially opened the door into the peaceful courtyard. The injured must have found room inside the castle.
"They haven't gotten this far yet," Lancelot observed and Merlin nodded. "Merlin… What are you thinking?"
Merlin shot him a smile. "Nothing."
Lancelot rolled his eyes. "Doubt that."
There was a shout and all at once a host of people flooded into the courtyard. Merlin searched the host until he spied most of the knights and Arthur in the middle of the fray. He was locked in a fight with a mercenary as Morgana and Morgause looked on from the edge of the fight. Merlin crept through the door ignoring Lancelot's whispered warning. He didn't like how Morgana was standing. She seemed out of it and disinterested about what was going on around her. As he got closer he saw the glassy look in her eyes and cursed.
"Merlin?"
"Morgause got at her bracelet again and the spells must be worse form the look on her face."
"What do you need to do?"
"I need to break the spells."
"So you need to get close."
"Yes." Merlin heard Lancelot sigh before scanning the melée. He caught sight of Elyan and Gawain and as soon as they were clear motioned to them.
"What are you doing out here, Merlin?" Gawain asked breathlessly. "Shouldn't you be helping Gaius with the wounded?"
"Look at Morgana!" Merlin said and between taking down enemy soldiers they managed to get a good look. "Morgause has reapplied the spells. We need to get that bracelet off of her!"
"And just how do you propose you do that?" Gawain asked. "Morgana hasn't left Morgause's side."
Merlin scanned the crowd and tried not to wince whenever a Camelot soldier was taken down. Then he saw the opening. "Get Arthur to engage Morgause directly. It will take her attention and focus off Morgana." Gawain and Elyan nodded and took off to relay the plan to Arthur. Lancelot was about to go with them when Merlin caught his arm. "Make sure it's long enough that I can break the spells."
Lancelot gave a solemn nod and ran off after Gawain and Elyan. Merlin scanned the crowd waiting for the perfect opportunity to get to Morgana. That opportunity presented itself the moment Arthur actively engaged Morgause. There was almost a pause in the battle as those around them watched the two highly trained fighters parry back and forth. It didn't take long for the fighters to get back to bashing one another and Merlin to find the opening he needed. He was strangely calm he simply strolled out into the melée with the borrowed sword held limply at his side. He should have been surprised that no one challenged him as he made his way to the cowering form of Morgana.
"Oh, my lady, what has she done..." Merlin murmured has he dropped the sword and approached her like he would have a frightened animal. He lightly grasped the bracelet and fought against the onslaught of dark magic laden in the metal. But Merlin knew he was stronger. He also knew he had no time for formal spells.
Instead he poured his natural magic into the metal, all the while the foreign magic fought against him. He heard a shout from behind him and the light touch of Lancelot's hand on his shoulder. "Morgause is disarmed. Arthur is waiting for his sister. You better hurry."
Merlin nodded and poured his magic into it all the more until he heard a crumbling sound and the bracelet fell away from Morgana's thin wrist.
Merlin fought against the exhaustion that threatened to take over as he heard the small groan and the whispered question "Merlin?" from an equally exhausted sounding Morgana.
"Morgause is defeated, my lady. The king awaits you to mete out justice." He helped her get up and between them they were able to make their way to Arthur. Around them, the soldiers and knights were taking care of those rebels that had not fled. But the inner circle of knights all surrounded Arthur and Morgause.
"Sister," Arthur greeted with a fond tone with an underlay of irony. "Your captor is defeated. It is only right for a daughter of the Pendragon line to mete out justice." Morgana did not appear surprised but Merlin felt her tense. Arthur held out his sword for Morgana to take which she did. Only for the sword to nearly drop out of her weakened hands. But she held steady as she faced her fallen sister.
"Morgause, daughter of Vivienne and Gorlois," Morgana's voice rang out into the courtyard. "For crimes against the house of Pendragon, I sentence you to death to be meted out at the hand of the king."
Arthur was surprised but only Merlin would have been able to tell. As the king stepped forward to take the sword back he leaned in and whispered, "Are you sure?"
Morgana nodded. "I can barely hold the sword much less able to make her death swift." She handed the sword over. "Make it swift, Arthur. She is still my sister."
Arthur nodded as he took the sword and faced Morgause. She was silent as she faced her fate but as Arthur drew close her voice rang loudly into Merlin's head as if she was shouting into the void hoping that he would hear her. "Protect her, Emrys. Protect her like I could not." Merlin tried not to flinch, but knew she had no idea who she sent that entreat to. Merlin looked away as the blade met flesh and Morgause was no more.
Form that point on the potions classes were split between actual brewing and lessons on how to tame his new found abilities.
"Your magic is not purely of the Old Ways. There has been too much breeding into the new magic for it to be that way, but the majority of your magic will work more organically than anyone else can do."
"Is that why Merlin chose my family? Because we were closer to the old magic than others?" Harry asked over the old tome Morgan had given him to study.
"I never asked him," Morgan admitted after a moment of silence. "I would assume it had something to do with it but I am not sure."
Harry nodded. "I just wondered because in the journal there really isn't much explanation on why he chose my ancestor just that he did and what he taught him."
There was a small gasp and Harry looked up again. "So you know how to get into Avalon?" she asked.
Harry nodded. "But only in theory." He wanted to add because he never tried it but they both already knew that.
There was an awkward pause and Harry knew there was something else Morgan wanted to say about the subject but restrained herself. "Anyway, you still use spells but they can be longer and more complicated than what you are used to. The book I gave you is more than a spell book it will teach you the ancient language you will need to craft your spells."
"Craft?" Harry asked trying not to sound too worried.
Morgan smiled. "While your magic is more intention based now it still needs focus. Modern magic users got lazy and have pared their spells to one or two words. But it can leave some ambiguity for those that can wield the Old Magic and things can easily go awry. Using the ancient language will eliminate that ambiguity." Harry still looked a little scared so Morgan decided to pile it on. "As you become more fluent in the ancient language you can then craft your own spells for whatever you need. But we'll get to that."
Harry nodded as the timing spell they had set went off and they went back to brewing.
The rest of Harry's time was him trying to navigate using his wand when he didn't need it and avoiding questions from the ever observant Hermione when he didn't quite achieve the ruse. Then in the days leading up to the end of the term, when everyone, including the professors were stressed, did it all come to a head.
"I just don't understand why you can't tell us!" Hermione shouted so the entire common room could hear. The other occupants had the grace to appear like they weren't listening, but after six years of living in the same dorm as the trio, it was hard not to know most of what went on between them. "You seem to tell Sirius everything!"
The fight seemed to have been going on for awhile because by that point Harry was having none of it. "Funny thing that. It's almost like he's my guardian! So I would talk to him about everything." Harry took a breath and the common room didn't. "Plus, because he is my godfather, I can talk to him about everything, well most things. Unlike someone who is not of the Blood."
There was a collective gasp from the pureblood portion of the common room, confused look from the muggle born portion, and Hermione looked like she had been slapped. But before she could formulate a response Ron stepped in. "We warned you, Hermione. Ah." He held up a hand when she tried to protest. "We did. We warned you that he wouldn't be able to tell you anything. Yet you keep pushing."
Hermione looked chastened and Harry sighed. "I do want to tell you. But I can't. Thanks to that blasted ancestor of mine. Just know that I am okay and you don't need to worry." He smiled. "I actually have people for that now."
Hermione let out a wet sob and pulled him into a hug. The collect baited breath of the common room let out in a rush seemingly unnoticed by the three friends.
"I'm sorry I haven't been around much," Harry said more quietly as the three sank back into the coveted armchairs in front of the fire. "I've been so busy with everything that most nights I just want the peace and quiet that is Remus and Sirius bickering." Ron snorted and Hermione giggled quietly. Harry sighed. "At least the holiday is in a couple of days."
"It's just too bad that the train home isn't until Saturday," Ron said.
"You're just sad that it's one less home cooked meal."
Ron grinned unapologetically. "What can I say? Mum makes the best food."
It was Harry's turn to snort. But he smiled at the pair feeling better than he had in awhile. Morgan left a few days ago wanting to spend as much time as she could with her family for Yule, which she explained was closer to December 21 than the 25. Harry had decided with Sirius that they would honor the holiday when they arrived home the next evening. It was shortly there after that Harry realized it was going to be the first time he went home for the winter break.
"Just so you know, Harry. You, Sirius and Remus are all invited for Christmas dinner," Ron mentioned suddenly. "At the Burrow. I guess Mum has been baking non stop all week and both Bill and Charlie will be there."
"I'll talk to Sirius and Remus, but as far as I know we have no definite plans for dinner. The full moon is over Christmas this year anyway." Ron flinched and started to apologize, but Harry waved him off. "We've talked about it and we were going to observe Yule together and then exchange gifts on Boxing Day as normal. No doubt Remus will force us out the door so that we got a proper Christmas dinner rather than whatever scraps Sirius could out together."
"He never learned to cook?" Hermione asked.
Harry started laughing. "Mum and Remus both tried to teach him apparently and he nearly burned down the kitchen. He was banned after that from even boiling water for tea."
The pair burst out laughing and the rest of the evening was spent in easy camaraderie and Harry climbed into bed later that night thinking about the holiday ahead.
... ... ... ... ...
Harry was halfway to the lake before he realized what was happening. Then he struggled to remember how he got there. Even then his feet did not stop the well worn path to the edge of the lake and before he knew it he stood knee deep in the freezing water. The mist had parted so he could see the weak December sun through the small sliver. Then with a bolt of electricity down his spine, Harry knew what was happening.
He raised his arms and slowly lowered them with a whispered prayer watching as the mists parted to show a gate and summer filled land beyond. But what stole his gaze was the man walking toward him in the splendor of the old times, his armor glinting and his blond hair gleaming in the morning light from both worlds. Harry had barely time to scramble to shore and kneel as the gate to Avalon closed and the Black Lake appeared again.
Before him the kingly figure stood, confusion written on his face as he said, "Where is Merlin?"
