Author's note : Thanks to all of my readers and those who reviewed, favourited and followed. I am extremely sorry for the previous chapter. Hopefully this long chapter will please you all. Merlin will soon leave dungeon and be king. But in this chapter, he will meet his nemesis. Let's get on with the story.

Chapter 9

The Isle of The Cursed

" How does Queen Ygraine's death create an opportunity. It destroyed the magical community. Stop being so vague , " Merlin groaned in exasperation.

" Sorry , young one. But tell me, What do you know of the great purge ? " Uriel asked.

" That Queen Ygraine was barren. The king bargained with Nimueh for a son. But to create a life, a life must be taken. And the queen died after Arthur's birth. Uther was furious and blamed magic for his beloved's death. He declared war against magic. He invaded both the isle of men and the isle of the blessed.

He conquered both places, killed all the dragons and the dragonlords except Killgharrah and my father. Killgharrah was imprisoned and my father fled. Then he began to kill anyone who had any kind of magic. Soon most of the sorcerors of Camelot were dead or in exile. " Merlin said.

" Isn't it quite odd how a non magical king defeated both the dragons , the goddess and her strongest followers almost single handedly, " Uriel said and gave Merlin a questioning a look.

" Yes . Gaius told me about the invasion of the isle of men. But he told me that Uther had an ally who helped to immobalise the dragons and neutralise the dragonlords' magic. A magical fog did that magic. But none knows who conjured that fog except perhaps Uther. " Merlin said sadly. He always became sad when he thought about the downfall of his kin. And he felt nothing but contempt towards the responsible ones who brought their downfall.

" Tell me what do you think about how the fog made dragonlords magicless , Merlin. " Uriel said.

" I don't know. Maybe the fog sucked out the magic fr... " Merlin stopped in the midway.

Uriel nodded and Merlin's face became a picture of utter confusion.

" No . It can't be. She was also a victim. She would never help Uther. Why would she do that ? " Merlin said . Confusion was evident in his voice.

" She and her followers were unable to enter the isle of men for the protection of ancient magic. But her magic itself was powerful enough to penetrate the defence of the isle temporarily and work properly.

So she needed a non - magical ally to do her bidding while she helped them from the sidelines. That's where Uther stepped in. " Merlin's eyes widened hearing Uriel's words.

" It is very difficult to believe that Uther was the triple goddess' ally even after Ygraine's death. "

" Uther was a hypocrite, young one. He despised magic but didn't he implore Gaius to heal Morgana using magic ? " Uriel asked.

Merlin nodded and wondered how much this man actually knew about Camelot.

" Then why it is difficult to believe what I have just said ? Maybe you would believe me if I show you what happened 28 years ago. " Uriel said.

" You can do that ? " Merlin was bewildered. ' This man will never cease to amaze me . Just how much power The One has granted him ? ' Merlin mused.

" Yes, I can show you. As the creator of time, The One has granted me the power of showing the visions of the past . Are you willing to see it ? All of it wouldn't be pleasant. " Uriel said as he didn't want to sadden the young warlock's mind anymore.

" Yes. I need to know the true past if I want to lead my people towards a brighter future. " Merlin said with conviction.

Uriel's face brightened hearing Merlin's words. " You are already talking like a great king. I am sure you will lead your people towards glory. Now brace yourself because in order to have a vision of the past your mind will have to go to the past. And believe me time travel is a nasty business even if it is your mind that is travelling . "

Merlin was taken aback a little by the king's words but quickly he schooled his expressions. His face became stoic and he said , " I am ready. "

Uriel's eyes glowed gold and darkness consumed Merlin's vision.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

When Merlin opened his eyes, he found himself not in the cell of the dragonlords rather he was in a large chambers. It was much larger than Arthur's and it was very well furnished. He was cetainly inside Camelot castle, Merlin thought as the arcitectural style was so similar to the said castle. He looked around and saw a large bed at the corner of the room and two women were there. One was lying on the bed and one was standing beside her holding a bundle of blanket in her arms. A baby was wrapped inside the blanket and it was crying. He went closer and was shocked to see them. The woman lying on the bed was Queen Ygraine Pendragon and the women holding the baby ( Little Arthur ) was none other than Nimueh , the high priestess herself.

' So Uriel really did it. He sent me to past. But why my body is here? He said only my mind will travel. ' Merlin mused to himself.

His quetion was soon answered when the door of the chamber opened with a loud sound and Uther barged in. He went right through Merlin's body and went beside the Queen.

' So I am just a ghost watching past. I am not here actually. That explains something. ' Merlin thought.

" What is happening to her ? " Merlin's musings were cut short by the king's angry voice.

The queen was dying. It was clear. Her eyes were closed. If it wasn't for the shallow rising and falling of her chest, Merlin would've thought that she was already dead.

" The old religion made it's choice, Uther. For a life to be created, a life must be taken. It gave you your desired son but it chose to take Ygraine's life as payment. " Nimueh said as a matter of factly.

" No. There must be something that can be done. I can't lose her. She is precious to me. Please you must do something. " Uther pleaded with tears in his eyes.

" There is nothing I can do. I warned you but you didn't heed my warning. Now face the consequences. " Nimueh said . A hint of anger was in her voice.

Uther said nothing. Only a lone tear escaped the king's eyes.

Soon the queen's breathing became more shallow and eventually it stopped. Uther looked at her pale face in disbelief and said, " Is she... Is she de-ad ? " He chocked on the word ' dead ' and even Merlin couldn't help but feel sympathy towards the broken man at this moment.

" Yes, Uther. She has passed on to Avalon. But she has given you a son . Before she closed her eyes, she held her boy in her arms . She was so proud to be a mother. He was named Arthur by her. She requested me to tell you not to grieve for her death but to take care of the prince for her. " Nimueh said. But this time Merlin sensed genuine sadness in her voice.

Suddenly Uther's expression changed. His sad eyes became filled with rage . He gave Nimueh such a venomous glare that even Merlin flinched in his ghost form.

" DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK OF HER, YOU MONSTER. YOU AND YOUR MAGIC KILLED HER. NOW ALL YOUR KIND WILL PAY. YOUR BLASTED GODDESS AND HER APOSTLES, THE DRAGONS , THE DRUIDS AND THE CATHA ; THEY ALL WILL FEEL CAMELOT AND HER ALLIES' RAGE. WE WILL PURGE THE EVIL OF MAGIC FROM THE LAND, " Uther roared at the top of his voice.

Nimueh seemed calm even at the face of the king's rage. She put down baby Arthur on the bed and looked at Uther coolly. She then gave chuckled a little, " Really, Uther? I gave you what you desired. Your wife died in the process. But I forwarned you. Yet you didn't heed my word. All that happened tonight are your doing. You are blaming us to ease your guilt. But isn't ' ALL YOUR KIND WILL PAY ' a hollow statement ? How do you plan to defeat me and my mistress ? Even your alliance's entire army wouldn't be able to thwart the Triple Goddess and her apostles.

And you are even saying that Dragons and the Druids and the Catha will pay. Please ! " Nimueh said sarcastically.

" Don't be so sure , Nimueh. My men's valour will overcome your people's magic. " Uther said determination clear in his voice.

" Really , Uther ? You are nothing but foolish. You overestimate yourself. How do you plan to conquer The isle of the blessed when your men won't be able to enter it for the magical barrier ?

How do you plan to conquer the isle of the men when dragonfire will turn your men to ash ?

How do you plan to defeat the Druids when they are always hidden deep within the most dangerous forests ? You might be able to kill some of them but to exterminate them entirely is not a feat that a non-magical being like you can accomplish.

Now, tell me Uther . Are you still confident that you can exterminate magic from this land ? " Nimueh asked and began to cackle ominously.

Uther's shoulder was slumped in defeat when Nimueh finshed her speech . He lowered his head and looked to the ground.

" Oh! Uther. Don't be so crestfallen. I granted your wish, yet you threatened me and badmouthed my mistress. I should kill you where you stand. " Nimueh said venemously.

Uther's head shot up . He quickly grabbed the pommel of his sword, ready to unsheath it and strike down the witch. But the witch spoke again.

" Now, now. Don't be too hasty, Uther. You were my ally for a long time. That's why I am sparing you. And I am offering you a new deal to soothe your aching heart. "

" I have lost much at your hand. I won't accept anything you propose, " The king said angrily but his voice was much controlled than his previous outburst.

" Just here me out, you arrogant fool. Then decide for yourself. " Nimueh said. By looking at her face, Merlin could say that she was becoming impatient.

Uther tried to refuse but changed his mind. He nodded to Nimueh and motioned her to continue.

" Here's the deal. The dragons and their lords are the only ones who rejected the goddess openly. They have angered her but she could hardly do anything about it as they are all protected by the ancient magic surrounding their isle. Thus no magical being can physically enter there if they wish to harm them.

However, this magic does not stop the non - magical beings like your soldiers. My mistress can take away the dragons and their lords' magic temporarily although she can't enter there. My proposition is that you take your army to the isle of the men and slay the dragon kind and the dragonlords when they wil be left defenseless by my mistress' magic ." Nimueh said gleefully.

" And what do I get in return? I won't risk my men without knowing that I am not leading them towards their death. " Uther said.

" Me and the apostles of the goddess won't attack and turn your Camelot into a ruin . "

" HOW DARE YOU . " Uther yelled again.

" FACE IT , UTHER. You are in no position to bargain. I am just being generous to you. Now , do we have a deal ? " Nimueh asked and stretched out her pale white hand.

Uther remained silent for a while as if he was in deep thought. Then he said, " Deal. " And shaked Nimueh's stretched out hand.

Nimueh smiled and said , " Then let's make a vow in ancient tounge to make this deal unbreakable . "

Then Merlin's sight darkened again as the vision ended.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When Merlin opened his eyes again, he was no longer inside the castle chamber , instead he was in the middle of a battle.

' Another vision, ' Merlin thought.

The battle was bloody and gore. And it was not a fight between men but a fight between men and dragons.

' So this is the battle of the isle of men. '

Dragons were breathing fire on the soldiers of Uther and they were already on the verge of defeat. The soldiers who were not on fire and tried to fight back were also not doing well. The dragons and the dragonlords were smothering the invading army.

But then, a fog began to appear on the horizon of the isle out of nowhere and soon it engulfed the entire island.

" Stand your ground, man. Our ally has intervined and soon these beasts will be powerless. We will be victorious and the dragons will be no more . " A strong commanding voice boomed near Merlin.

Merlin looked at his right and saw Uther in his battle-armour. He looked relaxed and calm as the fog approached.

When the fog touched the first dragon, it cried in pain and fell to the ground. Soon all the other dragons began to fall like falling stars. The dragonlords were bewildered. But their surprise lasted for a short time as they were also touched by the fog and cried in pain like their fallen kin.

The soldiers were cheering seeing their enimies' plight. Uther's voice boomed again. " Onward, brave sons of this land. Kill these monsters while they are defenseless and purge this land of their evil. "

Soldiers who were already on the retreat came back hearing their king's call and began to march towards the fallen dragons and dragonlords.

Merlin watched in horror as the defenseless dragons and dragonlords were butchered by Uther and his men. Tears began to run down his cheeks. But then something unexpected happened . As the dragons were killed, a light came out of their body and entered the swords of the soldiers.

" Sire, what is happening ? The swords are glowing. What kind of magic is this ? " A knight of Uther came running towards the king and asked .

" Show me your sword. " Uther said. The knight gave his sword. Merlin walked closer And looked on the sword. He gasped. It's a sword forged in dragon's breath.

Uther examined the sword for sometime and then said, " I have only seen such sword in a book of fables . This event is unprecedented. These swords which are glowing are powerful like the swords begotten in Dragon's breath told in fables . "

" But how did this happen ? " The knight asked.

" I don't know, Sir Edric. But this can only mean one thing. " Uther said and smiled.

" What , sire ? " Sir Edric asked.

Uther said nothing. Instead, he moved towards a fallen dragon and slayed it with his sword. His sword also sucked the light coming out from the dead dragon. He gave his sword a satisfactionary look. The he looked at his knight.

" That the providence has chosen me as the vanquisher of the old religion. These swords will be used to break through the barrier of the isle of the blessed. Reassemble the army and prepare them for the march to the isle of the bleesed. " Uther commanded.

" As you command , sire . " The knight bowed and left.

The vision ended and Merlin lost his sight again.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Merlin opened his eyes when he heard a woman screaming. He opened his eyes and found himself in a very familiar place. He was standing before the alter of the isle of the blessed where he met the Cailleach. But this time he was not alone. Hundreds of people were there. All of them were fighting and many were going in and out through his transparent body which made him a little uncomfortable .

The fighting that was taking place before him was gruisome like his previous vision. But this time it was between Uther's soldiers and the followers of the triple goddess.

And surprisingly the apostles of the goddess were losing. Merlin soon found out why was that happening. No spells were hitting the soldiers no matter how powerful they were. The swords were deflecting the spells.

After a few moments, the apostles retreated inside the castle. Uther's army pressed on. Merlin went with them. When they reached inside the castle courtyard , there was only a few apostles remaining. They were defeated by the soldiers' dragon swords easily. Only four figures were standing on the courtyard . Among them, three figures were hooded and the other one was The high priestess, Nimueh herself.

Uther came forward. He grinned at the witch and said, " How the mighty have fallen ! You said that I wouldn't be able to break through the barrier. But fate had other plans for me it seems. Your proposition was a most beneficial one. By helping us to killing the dragons, you have sealed your fate.

We have broken through your goddess' barrier using these swords. " He pointed at his swords.

" We cut through the apostles' ranks like a knife through butter. And now I will kill you using my sword . Your magic will be useless against me. "

" Don't be so sure, Uther. Yes, we didn't see that coming. If we did, the goddess would've never commanded me to make that proposition. But as long as the Disir and a high priestess lives, so lives the triple goddess. Yes, you have decimated our fortress but we will return and when we will return, you and Camelot will be history. Not even Emrys will be able to save you. Goodbye, King Uther Pendragon, " Nimueh's eyes shone golden and all four figures vanished in a whirlwind before Uther and his men could do anything.

Uther's army began to cheer at their victory and Uther shouted, " Run , Nimueh. Run , while you can. Soon the great purge will claim you and your precious goddess. "

The vision ended there.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Next time , Merlin opened his eyes, he was at the throne room of Camelot. It was empty except for Uther and Gaius.

Uther was sitting on his throne. He was looking a little worried. He looked at Gaius and said , " What's the meaning of this , Gaius ? "

He held out his sword and Merlin noticed that the sword had returned to it's original state. No longer glowing like before.

Gaius took the sword and examined it for a short while. Afterwards, he gave the sword to Uther and heaved a sigh.

" What is it , Gaius ? " Uther asked. Merlin sensed desperation in his voice.

" It seemed that your sword and your soldiers swords were different from the swords of the fables. "

" Different ? In which way ? "

" Well, those swords were forged in dragon fire and they were strengthened permanently. But your swords got their power after slaying a dragon. I suspect that a fraction of the life force of the dragons were transferred into your swords. Thus they became powerful. But that was an abomination. "

Uther glared at the physician but Gaius went on.

" Don't be angry, sire. I am just stating the facts. The dragons powers were twisted by the dark magic. That's why part of their souls were trapped in those swords. And only a dragonlord is able to command a dragon's soul. I believe a dragon lord commanded the trapped souls inside the swords to come out. That's why your sword has become normal. Because even a trapped soul of dragon can't ignore it's lord's powers. " Gaius said.

" Balinor, " The king almost whispered.

" I'm sorry ? "

" Balinor. He must have escaped me. My army didn't find his corpse. He was not even among the prisoners. He is the one responsible. " Uther said furiously.

" You can't be sure, sire. Even if he did, he did the right thing. A dragon's soul should be free. Not trapped inside a sword. " Gaius tried to defend Balinor.

" Enough. I don't want you to lecture me . I must make a plan to capture him. "

" Please, Uther. I implore you to see reason. You should stop this madness. " Gaius tried for the last time.

" DON'T CROSS YOUR LIMIT, PHYSICIAN. OTHERWISE , I WILL HANG YOU FOR USING MAGIC BEFORE. I DON'T REQUIRE YOUR COUNCIL ANYMORE. BE GONE. " Uther said at the top of his lung.

" As you wish, sire. " Gaius said. He bowed and left. A heartbroken look was plastered on his face. When he was about ot exit the room, Uther spoke again.

" Gaius, who is Emrys ? "

Gaius looked back. If he was shocked, he hid it well. He looked the king in the eyes and said, " I am afraid I don't know, sire. "

Then everything went dark around Merlin.

OOOOOOOOOOO

This time, Merlin was back in the cell of the dragonlords. He looked at Uriel. His face was sad.

" Were all those things really happened ? " Merlin asked. He was overwhelmed by those visions.

" Yes, young one. The visions can't be faked. Now do you understand why the triple goddess want you dead ? "

" Yes. That's why I must defeat her first and avenge my kin. Uther may be the killer of the dragons. But she and Nimueh were the instigators. And she must pay for my kin's destruction. " Merlin said grimly.

" You are ready, Merlin. Now I am going to lift the freezing spell . But you will have little time as the spell is the only thing that is stopping her to get you. Prepare yourself, Merlin. " Uriel said .

Merlin nodded and the king's eyes turned gold and the fire fly froze in the midair began to fly again. But Merlin's attention soon shifted towards a white ball of light stained with dark line which appeared out of nowhere. It rushed towards him and soon his body collided with the ball.

He heard two words from Uriel before he was hit by the ball. " Good luck. " Then he knew no more.

OOOOOOOOOO

When Merlin opened his eyes, he groaned in exasperation.

' How many times I lost my sense today ? ' He questioned himself.

He was lying on a grassed floor. He jumped up fearing that the Goddess might be near. He was at the isle of the blessed and before him stood a beautiful woman. Her hair was golden, eyes were pure sapphire blue, lips were red as blood. Merlin couldn't help but admiring her beauty.

' C'mon, Merlin. You must not get smitten by her. She must be the goddess and you'll have to fight her. ' Merlin reprimanded himself.

" Welcome, Emrys. I have been waiting for you. " A deep male voice came out of the woman's mouth.

Merlin was taken aback by this . It seemed to him that the woman was possessed by something.

" I thought the triple goddess was a female , " Merlin said.

" Yes, she was. But after your aquisation of the power of ' The Calling ' , she proved herself weak to be my follower. So, now I possessed her to deal with you personally. "

" Wait ? You mean she's dead. " Merlin was astonished.

" She became dead when she made a deal with me all those years ago. She became a puppet , a mouthpiece of me. A medium to consolidate my power and spread darkness through earth like my numerous other followers. But all this time, no one suspected a thing. Every follower of light of Albion just wondered where I went .

And the follower of darkness fell for my puppet's honeyed words. I am now also controlling her organs where I was just controlling her mind before. " The male voice said and began to laugh eerily which unnerved Merlin.

" Stop laughing. Just who are you ? " Merlin asked angrily although he had a feeling that he already knew the answer.

" Oh ! Appologies, Emrys. " The voice said mockingly.

" I didn't introduce myself. Where are my manners ? I am The Cursed One, I an Ajajil the Immortal and welcome to the isle of the cursed.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

A cliffhanger. This is becoming a bad habit. Sorry for the long delay. I was having a writer's block. And I also lost inspiration to write after recieving a negative review from a guest although I thank him for criticising me as it helps me to become good in writing. But in the end , I became resolved that I would finish this fic no matter what ( The One willling ) . Anyway, guys, am I doing a crappy job in writing this fic ? That is all. Next chapter : The long awaited battle between Emrys and triple goddess... Ahem I mean Ajajil. Happy reading, everyone.