Author's note : Thanks to UltraPJSfan, oma13, Teekalin, Saroura92, Aurora-dawn89, TwilightMortal, Charles Chuku, mersan123, dearheart123, CamJ and the three guests who have reviewed . Also thanks to those who have favourited and followed my story. I am truly greatful. I am amazed that I already have 50 followers. Thanks to you all. And to the guest who said that Mordred is hardly believable, I say that he doesn't need to be completely believable. No matter what Arthur fans might say, it is the truth that Arthur is not very different from Uther where magic is concerned. Just see Arthur's reaction about Finna. He sends his elite knights to capture a sorceress who was not doing any harm. And don't forget Arthur still believes that magic took Ygraine as well as Uther. Even after hearing Gaius' reassuring , he had his doubt about the good intention of Dragoon ( Merlin ) . So when he saw his friend using magic, he needed a little push to believe that Merlin was corrupted by magic. And Mordred's words did the trick. Even if it doesn't satisfy you, I am truly sorry. This is my first fanfiction. So please be patient with me. I am trying to improve my writing. Now enough with my babbling, let's get on with the story.
PS : Ten points to Saroura92 who figured out what would happen in this chapter. I highly suspect that he/she is a seer.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. Why would I write fanfiction if I had already owned it ?
Chaper 6
You are a Pendragon
When Merlin woke up, the pain he had felt for three days was significantly reduced. He didn't know what happened or why was he feeling much better. He could feel his magic bubbling under his skin. But he was still unable to control magic as he felt the burning sensation of the collar around his neck. So what made him feel better ? Merlin wondered. He got his answer when looked around and saw a lone figure standing tall not so far from him inside the cell. A person whom he knew too well. She was dressed in black which matched her hair. She had fair skin and grayish green eyes. And even though she looked a little dirty and disheavelled, she was a true beauty. The one women for whom Merlin felt most guilty and sad. The one whom he considered as a friend a long time one who was his supposed best friend's half sister, the high priestess of the Triple Goddess, his mortal enemy Morgana Pendragon.
She began to walk towards him and Merlin gulped. If she came to Camelot to just meet him, then that meant she knew his secret identity. 'Oh! She is going to kill me now. ' Merlin thought . After all these years of rivalry, she was going to win. He felt sad knowing that he had lost against Morgana. Even with all the power of the world , he the mighty Emrys was powerless against her now, his magic still restrined by the collar filled with the runes of old religion. But in a way , he felt relieved. What he would do if he survived this hell-hole ? Where would he go ? He would be hunted through the five kingdoms by Arthur. No kingdom would be safe for him because Arthur was allied with every kingdoms of southern Albion except Amata. And that kingdom was worse than Camelot and her allies. He would always have to run if he got out of it. So when Morgana began to crouch before him and raised her hand, Merlin readied himself . This was obviously better than hunted for a life time. He was happy knowing that he would meet his father soon. The only sadness he felt was for his mother and Freya . His only regret was that he had failed to return magic in the land. But right now, he was so broken to think about those things. Arthur's betrayal shattered his soul and now he was wishing for death which would soon be fulfilled by Morgana. He closed his eyes and waited for the final blow. But it never came. Instead his face was cupped by a steady warm hand and a soothing voice came into his ear.
" I am so sorry, Merlin. "
Merlin was gobsmacked. What? Why she was appologising ? She hated him with all her heart. She tried to kill him many times. So why was she not killing him when he was helpless ? Why was she comforting him ? Hundreds of questions whirled inside his mind. He looked up at Morgana's beautiful eyes and what he saw in there was not hatred or rage. Her eyes were filled with compassion and kindness just like the kind lady Morgana all those years ago.
" Why are you appologising ? " Merlin asked.
" For all the pain I have caused you through all these years ," Morgana said.
Merlin was utterly confused. 'Why would she say those things ? Is she playing a new game ? But her eyes were full of compassion and concern. Is it possible that Morgana turned from darkness ?' He thought.
Just thinking about Morgana turning good again filled Merlin's heart with joy. He felt that he had found his life's purpose again. Yes, he had lost Arthur but Arthur was never his real friend to begin with . During his earlier days in Camelot , Morgana and Gwen were his first friends. When he was forced to poison Morgana, his heart broke into thousand pieces. Then Morgana turned to the darker path and when Merlin found out that the kind Morgana was gone replaced by a vengeful witch, it only brought him sadness and despair. He blamed himself all the time . But now as he was looking into the eyes of Morgana, he found hope that maybe things could be changed. Maybe they could leave Camelot together and join the Druids where he would be together with Freya and Morgana would be there as his friend. Maybe he would be able to help her to find true happiness this time. Maybe he was given a second chance and he woldn't lose it again. So he said what he wanted to say to her for a long time.
" I was the one who caused you pain. I was the one who didn't give you a choice. I was the one who poisoned you. Why are you sorry when it should be me appologising. And I am truly sorry and ashamed for what I have done. I should have protected you instead of Arthur. You are my kin and yet I turned my back on you because I was a coward. Would you ever forgive me , Morgana ?"
Morgana was shocked to hear Merlin's words. She never presumed that Merlin would fall for her words so easily. But then again, Merlin was broken by her brother. He lost his life's purpose. He was drowning and a drowning man catches at a straw. ' I must not ruin this . I will never get a chance like this. A few more suger-coated words and he will be in my grasp. ' Morgana thought. She said, " I have forgiven you, Merlin. I know you had no choice. It was me or Camelot. The choice was obvious. And I know why you served Arthur. You are Emrys ,"
" How did you know that ? Why did you come here ? " Merlin asked.
" You and I are kin. I sensed your distress when you were tortured. At first, I thought it served you well. But when you were bitten by Nathair, I couldn't hold myself. I understood your pain and came to help you. When I was healing you, I sensed your powerful magical aura and it was unique. I realized that you are Emrys. Soon everything became clear to me. But look at you now. It is breaking my heart seeing you in this state. You served Arthur loyally for eight years and this is how he repay you. "
Now Merlin began to suspect a little about Morgana's motives. Even Kilgarrah was unaware of his distress. He couldn't even sense his dragonlord power for the collar which was more heavily enchanted than Morgause's chain. So how did she sense his distress? And if she really wanted to help, why didn't she remove his collar? There's something fishy about Morgana. His hope began to wane. But he still didn't lose it. Though he was begining to suspect Morgana a little, he still believed that Morgana had changed even if partially. So he planned to play a game of words with her which would probably reveal Morgana's true intentions.
" Yes, I am truly dissapointed in Arthur. I thought he was better than Uther. But now I know the truth. He is just like Uther where magic concerns. The prophecies are all lies. Such a magic hater like him will never return magic into this land. Albion is doomed." Merlin said and waited for Morgana's reaction.
He saw a glint of joy and triumph in Morgana's eyes. ' But that doesn't prove anything. I must be patient. I must not trust her blindly like I trusted Arthur. Otherwise, I will be heartbroken again. And I don't think my heart will be able to bear such pain of betrayal again. I must tread carefully. ' Merlin thought to himself.
Morgana said, " But all hope is not lost. You still live so do I. As long as we're alive, old religion will not fade from Albion. Together we'll bring back magic. Our combined might will force the five kingdoms on their knees. Arthur and his allies will rue the day they were born. He will pay for what he has done to you. Will you join me in my quest ?"
Morgana's voice was like a fanatic. His eyes were burning with passion and hatred while she was talking. On that moment, Merlin realized that Morgana's hatred still ruled her mind. She was just trying to use him as a weapon to win her war. He was now 60 percent sure that Morgana's mind was clouded by thought of vengeance. But in the optimistic part of his mind, there was still some hope left and that part of his mind wanted to believe desperately that Morgana had changed. He was quiet for sometime and then he lifted his head .
" What about Arthur's son and Gwen ? Who will rule Camelot after Arthur's demise and magic's return ?"
Merlin questioned and knew that the answer which Morgana would give would reveal her purpose and motives.
He was wishing in his mind that what he was fearing was wrong ; that Morgana had begun to follow the path of light. But all his hopes were shattered when Morgana said,
" They will die . Uther's bloodline will end and the Pendragons will be no more. Then I will take my place on the throne of Camelot as her queen with you by my side as king. We will be the high king and queen of Albion and magic will rule again in this land. "
Now Merlin was 100 percent sure that Morgana's compassion was nothing but acting. The kind Morgana he knew of would never kill an innocent boy of three years in cold blood no matter who his parents were. It broke his heart again. For a moment, he thought he had found his life's purpose. But now he understood what she truly wanted. She was no better than Arthur. They were siblings after all. No matter how many times she refused Uther as his father, she was still a Pendragon. And all Pendragons were the same. Ruthless, traitor and liar. He just hoped that Aren would not become as his traitorous father and that he would inherit Gwen's kind heart.
Merlin took a deep breath and said with utter dispair , " You've not changed Morgana. Hatred and lust for power consumed your mind . I almost fell for your honeyed words. But you gave yourself away luckily. Know this Morgana, I am sorry for what you have become and I blame myself . But I will never be like you . Yes, I hate Arthur for his betrayal. But I won't harm the innocents to fulfill my desire. And even though I despise Arthur I will never harm Aren. He is my nephew. Begone, Morgana , I will not join in your wicked cause of mass murder. I am not a Pendragon and unlike your family members, I am not a cruel, liar hypocrite. I will rather die in this hell-hole than becoming a mass murderer. I have dirtied my hands for a Pendragon in the past, I will never make the same mistake again. "
Morgana knew she was failing. So, she tried one last time to persuade Merlin.
" Merlin, you are misunderstanding. I just to help you. I want to avenge you. Please, join me and we'll be friends like old times."
Merlin heard desparation in Morgana's voice and sensed anger rising inside her. He planned to push her over the edge so that she revealed her true self. He said, " Stop lying to me. If you really thought me as a friend. Why didn't you remove the collar ? "
" I don't know how to remove it. It has very powerful magic. Without the keys I won't be able to unlock it. " Morgana replied with a shaky voice.
Merlin knew she was decieving him. The runes were enchanted by the high priestesses and they were the only one able to destroy their powers. He said, " Don't give me that bullshit. You are the high priestess. You can remove them easily. You're not removing them because you don't trust me. So, I don't trust you either. Your soothing words are nothing but lies . You're just like every other grown-up Pendragons. Hateful and blinded by power. I hate all of you. I pray that my nephew doesn't become like you. Now get out of my sight. I will die gladly here knowing that I defied a Pendragon until my dying breath."
Hearing Merlin's words, Morgana's mask fell. Her face became a mixture of fury and anger. She knew that she had given herself away while talking fanatically. She had failed. She chided herself for her idiocy. She had come so close and she failed miserably. ' Oh well. At least Emrys would be dead soon. And he would die painfully. I now know the perfect way to cause him the most devestating pain. I need to inform Mordred. ' She thought to herself. She said ou loud, " You got me, Emrys. I was hoping you would fall for my sweet words. But you are cleverer than you look. What a shame ! But don't worry. Your wish will be granted. You will die in this place and that won't be pleasant. You'll die knowing that you were unable to save the one whom you treasured most in Camelot. Good bye, my so called doom and may we never meet again. " Saying this she vanished into a whirlwind and left Merlin alone in the cell.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
After Morgana left , Merlin was wondering who was the one he treasured most in Camelot. After thinking for a while, it became crystal clear to him. ' Oh my goodness ! She meant Aren. She was going to kill him. No. No. No. This can't be happening. I've already lost too much. I can't bear to lose him too. ' He thought to himself with despair. He truly felt broken and useless. Is this how things are going to end ? Dying like useless rubbish. Unable to protect the one whom he loved.
Bang.
He was dragged back into reality by the sound of opening the door. He looked towards the door and saw Aren standing there.
The prince came running forward to him and hugged his pitiful form , he began to cry and then said, " Who hit you , uncle ?"
Merlin felt a pang of sadness inside his heart. Aren would hate his father if he knew the truth. So he said, " Some bad people, Aren. Don't worry. Your uncle will be alright. But how did you get here ? "
Aren said , " I wanted see you. Uncle Mord took me here. "
' Mordred ? He brought Aren here. But why now ? Just after Morgana's warning. Wait. That means... Oh hell. Not again. I can't take it anymore. ' Merlin thought. He was horrified now thinking that Mordred was in league with Morgana from the begining. His suspicion was correct. But he was a fool. He fell for his good behaviour during his torture and thought he had misjudged him. Oh how wrong he was !
Suddenly, Aren's body became rigid and he fell asleep on the floor. Merlin looked around and saw Mordred standing at one corner of the cell with an evil smirk plastered on his face. Aithusa's sword resting on his hip. Merlin gulped down a lump in his throat thinking what he would do to Aren. He came forward and yanked Aren's sleeping form away from Merlin by his hair. He left the prince lying on the stone floor . Deep in an enchanted sleep . Then he faced Merlin and said, " How the mighty have fallen ! It was quite hillarious seeing you trusting me. It's a shame that you haven't joined Morgana. Things would have been much easier. Oh well. At least I get to kill you now and avenge Kara. But before that you'll see your beloved nephew die in front of you. "
" Please Mordred. It is me you hate. Don't hurt an innocent child. I beg of you. I am sorry for what happened to Kara. But please, don't hurt Aren. " Merlin pleaded.
Mordred just smirked in return and said , " Too late for apologies. " Then he took out his sword and raised it to strike upon the sleeping form of Aren. Someone screamed loudly from a far distance but Merlin didn't hear it. There was only one thing in his thing.
Must save Aren.
Must save Aren.
Must save Aren.
The sword was now only inches away from Aren's heart.
NO. NO. NO.
Merlin shouted loudly and suddenly a rush of unimaginable power began to surge through his veins. The shackles and collars restraing him exploded and he became free. His body began to glow gold . The sclera and iris of his eyes were pure gold. He began to talk in an unearthly voice.
" You have made a great mistake by angering the Emrys. You tried to hurt my nephew which was a bad idea. "
Merlin raised his palmes toward Mordred and the Druid boy flew across the cell. But he was not hurt badly. Mordred got up after sometime. He was extremely afraid.
Then Merlin said in same menacing tone, " I am letting you go for this time as a repayment for your fake kindness. Flee, flee for your life and never come back. "
Mordred didn't say any word and transported himself . The look on Merlin's face almost made him wet his trouser. He was clueless how Merlin got free. But he knew that messing with him now would be abad idea.
After Mordred vanished, the poorly healed wounds of Merlin opened and he fell unconscious.
When he woke up, a blue light filled the room. When he looked at the source of the light, he was dumbstruck. The blue light was emitting from a man. A man who was so frail when he met him five years ago but now he looked strong and much younger. He was standing before Merlin in all his royal glory, the ruler of the perilous land, The Fisher King.
OOOOOOOOOO
Sorry for the cliffy. Next chapter : Some explanation and a new destiny. Please leave a review and tell me if I should kill Mordred or not.