Chapter 24

A Failed Attempt

The day of the culling. Merlin walked to the center of the arena Morgana had built just for this occasion and was just a small ways away from the castle. Only those Morgana invited personally stood around the arena's fence, each one excited and anxious to get to the bidding.

Merlin tried as best he could to block out the roar of the crowd as he faced the seven sorcerers as they waited for it to begin. Merlin felt defeated. He had agreed to do as Morgana asked but only if she spared those who were 'unworthy' to be sold. She didn't give him an answer at first. She only looked at him as if he were crazy, as if the very idea of letting them live was inconceivable. Still, she surprised him and agreed. She fed him an empty promise even when it was so clear she would do no such thing.

Fortunately, Merlin didn't believe a word out of Morgana's beautiful mouth and he started to formulate a plan of his own. It was imperfect and full of holes but it was something. If Merlin was able to save even one of the young innocent sorcerers he hoped the consequences would be worth it. It seemed they were going to die anyway, might as well give them a fighting chance.

Merlin grit his teeth. He could do nothing now except follow orders and wait for an opening to help the kids lined up before him. Merlin looked at each of their faces. They were dressed in simple servants clothes, dirty and torn from their imprisonment the same as Merlin only his were clean and new for appearances sake, nearly identical to the one always wore in Camelot. Only now, his boots, shirt and trousers were charcoal black as well as his small over jacket instead of their normal bright colors. In fact the only color he wore was a dark emerald green scarf with a white-silver Triskele stitched into the fabric identifying him as the Warlock Emrys.

Merlin's heart squeezed in his chest as he assessed the seven young and terrified sorcerers. Fear and anxious anticipation saturated the air adding to the tense atmosphere. He knew just by standing near them that only three of these magic users were worthy of Morgana's attention and the rest were obsolete. Nothing more than dispensable pawns, at least in her eyes, and Merlin suspected she already knew this and was just fucking with him, forcing him to play along.

He looked around him, searching for Morgana. He hadn't seen her since last night when he had taken her viciously against the wall in the Healing Water's chamber. The heat and passion, the lust and danger, the anger and hate all of it rolled into one colossal mistake. He should have killed her, not fucked her. Merlin must really have some kind of mental affliction. As long as there was someone to save he would be here. A stupid hero's complex if there ever was one.

Finally, Merlin spotted Morgana up on a dais of sorts, dressed in a simple yet elegant gold dress with green leaves littering the bottom of her skirt. She sat on a large throne as she spoke to a cloaked figure in hushed tones. His face was hidden from view but Merlin could easily guess who it was. He grit his teeth.

Mordred? Merlin probed psychically.

The hooded figure raised his head at the intrusion. He pulled the hood back just enough to allow Merlin to see his face. Mordred scowled at him. The contempt and hatred shined clear and bright from his ice blue eyes.

Hello, Emrys. Mordred acknowledged telepathically. Shouldn't you be preparing the cattle? He smirked.

Merlin pressed his lips together. He forced himself to ignore Mordred's remark and faced the group once more. All were about to be either slaughtered or sold and none were over the age of eighteen. Merlin cleared his throat and turned back to the young sorcerers all lined up before him. Darrin and James were on either side of the group with William in the middle of the four other kids, two on either side. It broke Merlin's heart. William wasn't even the youngest of them at ten years old.

"I don't know what they have planned or how this will turn out but be prepared for anything." Merlin said seriously.

He looked at each kid individually. His heart seized in his chest and his gut clenched. Their eyes were glassy and none were really listening. Merlin had a very bad feeling about this. Even if Merlin intervened, not all of them were going to survive.

"Take advantage of every opportunity that arises. Remember anything you have learned growing up and put it to use. Even the most meaningless spell could save your life." Merlin paused.

The young sorcerers couldn't keep their eyes from wandering and he feared that whatever he said went in one ear and out the other. "Don't be afraid of hurting them. They are older and more experienced, I know, but do whatever you must to win." Merlin continued going through the motions all the while plotting his own intervention into the culling. "Morgana says fight. So fight." Merlin's hard gaze ran over each one. "And remember: she never said you had to fight fair." Merlin stressed. His lips twitched. That included Merlin. If push comes to shove Merlin will intervene. He couldn't let these children suffer to fund this war.

"Keep your mind sharp." Merlin nodded. He waited for the kids to acknowledge what he said. Slowly, they nodded.

Merlin tried to give them an encouraging smile but failed. He knew he couldn't save them all. It was what happened in war. You do your best to save those you can and remember those you couldn't. Merlin let his gaze linger on William, Darrin and James.

If I say run, run. Merlin shoved the words into their minds. They did well; they didn't so much as blink at the mental intrusion. William and Darrin gave small nods and James winked at him. They got it.

Merlin turned on his heel and walked away from them to Morgana. He stopped at the bottom of the five steps leading up to her and Mordred. They were separated by a small wooden fence acting as a flimsy barrier that kept them separate from the action. He wished Morgana had let him at least attempt to train them during the short time they were here, giving them a real fighting chance, but no. Her answer was simple, 'where was the fun in that?'

"They have been prepared to the best of my abilities." Merlin said grumpily. Morgana raised a brow and glared at him. "My Lady." Merlin grit out sarcastically as an afterthought and bowed from the waist down.

The amount of control it took to keep himself in place was ridiculous. He never felt such an urge to wrap his hand around her neck and squeeze the life from her until he felt a satisfying pop. He couldn't conceal it this time and he didn't want to. He watched in satisfaction as Morgana paled several shades.

Morgana looked down at him, still bowed at the waist. He looked back up at her. His dark eyes look just as they did before he left her last night, like he would break her neck and very very much enjoy doing it. It was both reassuring and disconcerting in a very odd way. Disconcerting because she might die and reassuring because it will be by Merlin's hand. After all, he loved her the most.

"Merlin." Morgana grumbled.

Morgana looked into his eyes and immediately looked away, still rattled from her dreams. The blue of his eyes were so dark they were eclipsed of any light and swallowed her whole. Images of her nightmare intruded into her mind. A flash of steel, a flare of pain and Merlin... Merlin was holding the sword embedded in her gut.

Emrys will forever walk in your shadow. He is your destiny and your doom. The Dochraid's words came back to haunt her.

Morgana looked back to Merlin and shivered. Death lurked those eyes. She shifted in her seat, getting comfortable. She still ached from Merlin's brutal domination last night and it made her stomach curdled and her heart pounded in anticipation and slight fear for another go.

"Emrys." Mordred smiled wickedly.

"Mordred." Merlin grit, but never took his eyes off of Morgana.

Merlin stiffly walked up the steps and only broke eye contact when he sat beside Morgana in the accompanying throne. He felt a bubble of laughter rise up in his chest as he relaxed into the green velvet lined wooden seat but he bit it down. Now, of all places, wasn't the time to have a hysterical fit of laughter. It was kinda funny though. Morgana was in what was supposed to be the King's throne, and Merlin was in what could be considered the Queen's throne.

Cedric stood beside Merlin acting as his personal guard. Morgana found it useful for him to stay safe. For now. Merlin had to admit it came in handy. More than once he has had other magic users try to kill him. Now that they knew he was Emrys it was a free for all and Emrys was at the top of the hit list. It seems not all were loyal to him and hated him for his methods.

Merlin ignored Morgana and Mordred and focused on the seven young men in the arena. He took a deep breath and let it out in a deep sigh. They looked lost and terrified.

"Emrys." Mordred snapped.

Merlin tensed but didn't acknowledge him. He kept a blank face, not giving anything away. He kept his gaze on the arena. Merlin never agreed to work with the damn snake as his second. Mordred was just a pain in his ass and he would sooner kill him than he would work with him. Merlin had agreed to lead Morgana's army, not Mordred's. Merlin was already on edge and at the end of his tolerance level. If Mordred got in his way Merlin wasn't sure what he would do. Probably something really really bad if Merlin was feeling this amount of animosity towards him.

Morgana saw Merlin tense when Mordred called him. Merlin's fists tightened and jaw clenched. It was the only indication that he was stressed. She could see his barely restrained rage seething just underneath his calm exterior.

"Emrys?" Morgana asked gently. She spoke softly so as not to disturb the monster in him. Nothing. No response. "Merlin?" She tried again.

Merlin shifted in his seat at the sound of his name. He didn't want to answer but he found himself answering before he gave consent. He tore his eyes away from the young sorcerers in the arena. They held hands as they stood in a line all equally confused and panicked as they awaited their fate.

"Yes?" Merlin murmured. His eyes reconnected with her questioningly but it wasn't Morgana that spoke next.

"Were you able to feel their power?" Mordred asked. He smirked at Merlin. "Do you think any will survive?"

Merlin glared at him. Mordred knew as well as Merlin that none were going to survive this. Merlin held himself in place by his will alone, lest he try to tear out Mordred's throat.

"Mordred." Morgana admonished. "Merlin has had to deal with enough, he doesn't need you to antagonize him."

Mordred scoffed and looked at Morgana as if she had grown a second head. "You're kidding, right?" He scoffed. "Why are you coddling him, Morgana." Mordred spat.

"I'm not codilling him. I'm saving your hide from being skinned by a powerful, unpredictable and enraged Warlock." She said snidely.

"He is the Emrys of legend." Mordred pointed out. "You should have killed him the moment you realized who he was." He challenged.

"Enough." Morgana growled. "Now is not the time to challenge me."

Merlin laughed. He couldn't help it. Watching Mordred get so flustered over the way Morgana treated him amused Merlin to no end. Merlin knew it wasn't Morgana being kind. She was being selfless for selfish reasons. She still thought there was a chance that she could survive this. That she could manipulate him to her side. But everything was shattered, not just damaged like before but broken beyond repair. What she did to his mother... to Arthur and Camelot... to him...there is no tolerating that. All he had to do was bide his time before he could strike. This war would not just end with her death alone. Her ideas must die with her.

Morgana stiffened. She glared at Merlin until she got his attention. He stopped laughing but he couldn't help the corner of his lips turning up in mirth. His eyes challenged her to say something.

Morgana saw the challenge he shot her, but she didn't dare say a word. For when she met his gaze she was reminded of her nightmares. She tensed. He looked at her with such dark promise that her mouth went dry. She ground her molars together. Her fight or flight instincts kicked to the surface but she ruthlessly shoved it down. Merlin didn't scare her. He terrified her. She glowered at him, doing her best to conceal her emotions. When did she become afraid of a servant? The moment you found out he was Emrys you were in a constant state of panic... you didn't- her thoughts cut off.

"Emrys," Mordred's voice broke in trampling the uneasy silence. "Are you going to start the culling?" Mordred demanded brutally.

Mordred knew Merlin. He had a pure heart, misguided at times but he was a good man. But Mordred also knew what all this death and destruction did to Merlin. It destroyed that part of him that had saved Mordred all those years ago. He could see it now as he looked at him. The way Merlin's eyes shifted from one thing to another as if he couldn't look at any one thing longer than a few seconds, like an animal waiting and watching for the next lash to fall.

He lost that light he used to have when he would look at Mordred and Morgana. Merlin no longer believed in them... or himself. There was a kind of darkness in him and if Merlin let it it would swallow him whole. Mordred knew from experience. Mordred succumbed to that darkness a long while ago.

Merlin shook his head. He couldn't bring himself to be the one to start this madness. He glared at Mordred for going out of his way to antagonize him. It was difficult enough to have to be in the same room with the man destined to kill Arthur. It took everything in him not to kill Mordred on the spot. If he did it may help avert the destiny he despaired over, but he knew it was futile. Arthur's death has been foretold. If not by Mordred, then fate would find someone else.

How in the fucking hell was he supposed to stop fate? It was a lot like a herd of stampeding wild beasts. You either jump out of its way or you get trampled by it. Merlin dug his nails into his palms drawing blood if only to keep himself from lunging at Mordred. Merlin felt Cedric's foot nudge his own. A warning to him to keep his temper in check. Merlin glowered but transferred his heated glare from Mordred to Morgana. She glared at him with a secret look he couldn't decipher.

Morgana fumed. If Merlin wasn't going to do as she asked then the culling was going to be a free for all slaughter, Morgana thought contemptuously. She raised her arm and signaled for the culling to begin.

Merlin followed her movements. "Morgana, don't." Merlin warned, but it was too late. She didn't spare him a glance.

Merlin watched as seven sorcerers broke away from the arena wall followed by another seven men each holding a sword. Merlin tensed. He leaned forward just the slightest bit. This was a slaughter. A unit of men charged the small group with swords drawn. Merlin's hand twitched wanting to interfere but held himself back until there was an opening.

James and Darren were the first to act. They stepped up, putting themselves between the kids and the charging men. Darrin on one end and James on the other side with one arm stretched towards the stampeding men and the other stretched out towards each other. They chanted one word in unison and a thin green veil burst out from their palms creating a barricade.

Merlin saw an opening. He muttered under his breath. His eyes flashed gold and the fence behind the kids burst outward into the crowd. Merlin held his breath as he watched the kids scramble.

Cedric tensed. Damn it, Merlin. What the hell are you doing? Cedric thought displeased. He all but face palmed himself. This was not going to end well for anyone.

Come on. Come on. He muttered mentally. Run! Merlin screamed at them psychically when they didn't move but they couldn't hear him. Not all of them were able to communicate because not all of them had enough magic to project like he could. But thankfully William was. His head shot in Merlin's direction.

Merlin caught Williams eye and saw it register that it was Merlin that made the arena explode. William didn't waste any time and ran to the confused kids huddled together. He started to herd them out the busted fence past all the slave traders, perverted nobles, tyrant Kings and their Queens. Darrin and James waited until the kids made it out past the destruction of the fence before they let the shield fall and ran after their brother using the chaos to their advantage. Merlin suppressed his smile but the edges of his lips twitched, giving him away.

Morgana shrieked in anger and stood up. "Go after them." She snapped, gesturing towards the fleeing prisoners.

Mordred cursed. What the hell was Merlin thinking? Did he really believe this would save them? Mordred scoffed. He would make sure Merlin knew that Mordred was the one to teach him this lesson. It was futile to fight Mogana, no matter who you were or how powerful, she always got her way. Mordred learned this after he came to her in anger over Kara's death, and now Mordred would do anything Morgana asked as long as he could hurt Merlin.

Mordred felt such a seething rage towards the Warlock and Arthur over Kara's death. After Mordred lost her the only kind of peace he felt was when going after Merlin and Arthur. If they could feel what he felt every morning when he woke up without Kara it would make his suffering tolerable.

Mordred bolted after the fleeing prisoners. He shoved his way through the nobles who were trying to get as far from here as they could. They shoved past each other in their hast to get away from the coming fight. Everyone could feel it in the air. The enmity. It made the air hum with negative energy. The arena was all but destroyed and the people scattered, leaving Merlin and Morgana in the busted arena alone. Once Mordred was out of sight Morgana turned on Merlin.

Merlin rose from his seat as if to run after Mordred but Morgana was quicker. With a flash of gold she flung her arm out and sent Merlin flying down the stairs. He hit the ground and rolled ducking his head he used his momentum to propel himself into a somersault so he came up crouched on his hands and knees.

Slowly Merlin stood up and faced her. She took a step towards him. Merlin felt his lip rise in a feral snarl, hands clawed at his side. He wanted to see her bleed.

Merlin took a step back surprised by his barbarous reaction and tripped over a rock in his own hast to get away from her, from himself. Not from fear, not of her, but rather a fear of what he would do to her if she pushed him any further and he didn't want to torture her as she did him. He only wanted to kill her.

Did she even realize that he was going to snap one day and he wouldn't be able to hold back the monster within him?

Morgana stalked him, advancing on him in quick long strides. "I saw what you did." She hissed.