Author's note: Hello everyone. Today is Eid-Al-Fitr in Bangladesh. After one month of fasting, we muslims are celebrating this day because the creator has forgiven us. Anyway, This chapter is my eid gift to you, my all lovely readers. And this story now has 100+ reviews. Thanks guys for your support. You all are truly great. Okay. Enough with the talking. Let's get on with the story.
Chapter 13
The coming of Emrys
Morgana Pendragon was at a loss. She didn't know what to do next. She always had a plan for these circumstances. But not this time. This time she was truly lost. When she lost her throne for the first time, her sister Morgause was there for her. Together they had hatched a new plan to bring Camelot to her knees.
When that plan failed, Agravaine helped her again to form a new plan. And with his help, she took back her throne. When she lost her throne again and was imprisoned in the well of Sarrum, she still didn't lose hope. Because she had something to fight for.
She had Aithusa and The Triple Goddess by her side. She got herself free after two years. And with Aithusa and The Triple Goddess by her side, she began again with renewed vigour. This time, she began to search for the root of her failures. Emrys. And she succeeded in finding the elusive Emrys with Mordred's help.
She was so close to success this time. She had Emrys in her grasp. But no, fate was never kind to her. This time was no difference. She had failed again and Emrys was still alive.
She was a failure. She had failed. Only this time, it was worse. This time she had none at her side. Not her sister, not Agravaine, not Aithusa, not Mordred and not even The Triple Goddess.
She shuddered at the thought. The Triple Goddess. The guardian of the old religion was no more in existence.
How could this had happened ? The Triple Goddess was so powerful. She couldn't be defeated. But Morgana knew what the truth was. Her matron was no more. She couldn't feel her guiding presence in the realm of the living. Her soothing presence in the high priestess' mind was non-existent. She couldn't even feel the Disir's presence anymore. They were gone too with he mistress.
And she was truly alone for the first time in her life. She felt defeated and broken. 'It was all Mordred's fault. He destroyed my plan. ' She thought.
'But weren't you the one to tell him to make Emrys' death as painful possible? ' A part of her mind questioned her.
' Shut up. Shut up. I don't need that kind of voice in my head. ' Morgana shouted mentally.
' Why did you kill him? He was just following your order. ' Her broken parts of mind were warring among themselves. And it was tearing her sanity apart.
" I am going mad. I am going mad. I don't want to live anymore. " Morgana yelled. And for the first time in her life, she lost the will to fight back. She felt herself cursed. Doomed to fail at Emrys' hand, no matter how hard she tried.
In truth, she knew that Mordred was innocent. He was not responsible for her failure. It was Emrys. But she was furious. She needed someone to pay the prize for her failure. And it was Mordred who paid it. The boy begged for her mercy. But when she felt the passing of her matron, she went beyond reasoning. She stabbed the chained boy. Aithusa left her then and there; telling her telepathetically that she wouldn't live with such an cold hearted murderer.
Tears began to run down her cheek while thinking about Aithusa's parting words. Had she really become a cold hearted murderer ? Was she really evil ? She was really confused. And she just wanted it to end. She wanted to die. She just couldn't do it anymore. She was so tired.
" But don't you want to see Emrys dead ? " Suddenly a grave male voice asked her in her head.
Morgana yelped in surprise and looked around. She saw no one. So, she asked, " Where are you ? Who is talking in my head ? "
" Relax, Morgana. I only want to help you. Now answer my question. " The voice said in a commanding tone.
Morgana answered. " Yes, of course. Nothing would make me much happier than seeing Emrys' eyes leaving the light of life. "
" Will you do anything to kill Emrys ? " The voice asked.
" Yes. But how can I defeat him ? It's always the other way around. " Morgana said desperately.
" You'll defeat him with the last of your ally. "
" I have none. " Morgana said.
" Think clearly, high priestess. You still have one left. " The voice said.
Morgana was confused. Who was her last ally ? She had lost everyone. Then it hit her.
" The king of Saxony. " Morgana whispered.
" Yes, King Ludwig. He helped you in the past by giving you his soldiers. He will help you again. You are severely weakened now. So am I. But time will heal me. And Ludwig will help you to regain your former power. He is a master of dark arts. And with his help, you will succeed in killing Emrys. " The voice said confidently.
" And what makes you think that he will help me? I am no use to him in my weakened state. " Moragana said through gritted teeth.
" Oh but you won't be this weak forever. And besides, I will tell him to teach you. He won't disobey me. "
" The king will listen to you ? Who do you think you are ? " Morgana demanded.
" They call me in many name. But the legends call me ' The Cursed One ' . I am the lord of dark magic and Ludwig is my prodigy. " The voice boomed in her head.
Morgana recoiled in fear. She heard legends of The Cursed One from Morgause and of his terrible power. If he wants to help her, who is she to deny it ?
" As you wish, my lord. " Morgana said.
" Very good, child. Now go and fulfill your wish. Your destiny awaits you. " The cursed one said.
Morgana nodded to thin air and walked out of her hideout with with renewed conviction.
Morgana thought that this time she would succeed, that this time she would fulfill her wish. She would tear out Emrys' eyes, torture him to the ultimate level of human tolerance. She would only stop when he would beg for death. Then she would fulfill his wish and kill her destiny and her doom. And she wouldn't let nothing to stop her. With the help of the dark lord and his prodigy, she would kill Emrys.
But fate had something else planned for Morgana Pendragon.
Meanwhile, Ajajil saw Morgana walk away through a scrying crystal.
' Like matron, like apprentice. So gullible. Now it's time to go see an old friend. ' He thought and set off towards the coast of Saxony.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
To say Merlin was astonished would be the understatement of the century. He was awestruck seeing the huge lake and the gigantic city standing at the middle of the lake which was so far away from the bank of the lake.
" It's so huuuge. " Merlin said. He looked at his mother and Aithusa and they both were wearing the same expression of pure shock on their face.
Uriel chuckled looking at his awed companions.
" You haven't seen anything yet. Wait until you enter the city. "
" So, how will we cross this lake ? " Merlin asked.
" Transport will be coming soon. But first- " Uriel movved closer to the bank and pressed his right palm to thin air. But when Merlin looked closer, he saw the air was shimmering.
' A magical shield! ' Merlin thought.
" I, Uriel Ignotus and my three companions wish to enter the city of Arcaenia. " Uriel said.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then a voice, which was very much like Iseldir's boomed, " And who are your companions, sire ? "
" Your future king , his mother and the white dragon. " Uriel said.
" Lord Emrys is with you? " Iseldir's voice gasped.
Merlin rolled his eyes. He had always hated how the druids treated him like a noble lord. And now that he was going to become their king, who knew how they would treat him ?
" Yes, yes. Would you please be kind enough to remove the barrier and summon walrus so that we could enter the city? " Uriel said in an exasperated tone. It seemed that Merlin was not the only one who was annoyed at the Druid's behaviour.
" Of course, sire. " Iseldir said.
Then the shimmering air vanished and the water of the lake began to bubble. Soon a mast of a ship began to come out of the water and within a minute, a huge warship surfaced on the lake.
" Whoa ! " Merlin exclaimed.
" This is our transport to the city. All abroad. " Uriel smiled and sayed out loud.
Uriel stepped on the ship first, followed by Merlin, Hunith and Aithusa.
" Onward. " Uriel commanded and the ship began to move. But it was painfully slow.
" Why are we moving at such a slow pace ? " Merlin asked.
" It's the water, Merlin. It's causing the ship to slow down. The lake of Arcaenia is magical and it's water slows down every water transports. We're going to have a long journey. Maybe one hour. " Uriel said sceptically.
" One hour ? It's so long. " Merlin said.
" Yeah. Long enough to tell me what this is all about and where did you get those scars ? " Hunith said fiercely. Merlin's mother said nothing throughout the entire journey. But it seemed that her patience had finally worn off.
" Mother, can't this wait till we reach the city ? " Hunith noticed that her son was clearly trying to avoid the subject. But she was determined to know. So, she said,
" No, Merlin. It can't wait. You'll tell me everything this instant. "
Merlin saw that there was no way he would be able to elude his mother. So, he sighed and said, " Very well. "
Then Merlin began his story. He started from the incident of Dunwall where he saved Aren and was ' rewarded ' by imprisonment. He told how Arthur betrayed him without giving a fair trial and began to torture him. He, of course didn't give her mother any detail. But she began to cry when she heard about the torture. Then Merlin told her how Uriel healed him and how he defeated Ajajil. He told her about the discovery of his heritage, his farewell from his friends and his eventual finding of Aithusa.
When Merlin finished his story, Hunith looked him in the eyes and said, " You are a dragonlord. " It was not a question.
Merlin was surprised. He never said that he had dragonlord abilities. " How did you know ? "
" I suspected from the begining. No young dragon would remain calm without the presence of their dragonlords. Your father was one. Now that I know that you are one too... " Hunith stopped abruptly.
" Oh, Merlin. My boy, I am so sorry. " She began to cry.
Merlin understood why she was crying. She thought that he had never met his father. So, he came closer to his mother and hugged him tightly. Hunith continued crying on Merlin's shoulders. When she stopped, Merlin said, " Don't be sorry, mother. I have met him and he was proud of me. "
Hunith was shocked. " What ? How ? "
Then Merlin told her how he had met his father. How his father sacrificed his life to save him. He told his mother how much his father was proud of him. He finished after telling her how he commanded Kilgharrah to stay away.
" Oh my wonderful boy, I am so proud of you. " Hunith said and kissed Merlin on the forehead. Then she said, " You will make a fine king. I know it. " Confidence was clear in her voice.
" And you would be a fine queen-mother , my lady. " Uriel said.
Hunith looked at the king and said, " What ? No, I can't be a queen. I am just a peasant. "
" So is Merlin, my lady. But you two are the rightful heir to the throne. It is your right to take your place beside your son. " Uriel said.
" I can't be a queen. " Hunith again insisted.
" Freya would make a rather fine queen. "
" Oh. I have no doubt about that. But you have to take your place as queen-mother too. It is your right and your responsibility towards your people. " Uriel counter insisted.
Hunith looked at his son. All these mentions of his beloved made his cheek as red as cherry. But he spoke nonetheless.
" Please, mother. Agree with him. I need all the help I can get to rule my people. And I won't be able to do it without you by my side. Please, mother. For me . " Merlin pleaded.
Hunith gave up hearing her son's pleading voice and said, " Alright. If you insist I will try. But I don't think I would be of much help. "
" Only time will tell. " Uriel said.
Then He looked at Merlin and said, " Stop blushing, Merlin. Everyone in Elmet knows you love Freya. You can't hide a six year long relationship how much you try, even though it was maintained through a magic mirror. "
Merlin's mother nodded and said, " No need to be shy, Merlin. I had seen how your eyes twinkled with happiness when you told me about Freya in the past. I knew it from then. You should be happy as I am. Soon you will be one with your beloved. "
" Stop it, mother. You are embarrasing me. " Merlin said and blushed more heavily.
Uriel and Hunith both burst into laughter. Even Aithusa began to coo in amuzement.
Suddenly, the ship jerked and stopped.
" Ah! We have arrived. " Uriel said cheerily.
Merlin looked at front and saw the ship arrived at the bank of the island. He looked back and could hardly make out the outline of the mainland. He was surprised seeing that they had to cross that much distance to reach the city.
They got down from the ship and began walking towards the huge white wall of the city. They stopped in front of the huge stone door of the city. Uriel stepped forward and said,
" The king of Elmet has come. Open the gate. "
As soon as Uriel spoke those words, the door began to open silently. Merlin suspected that magic was at work to do that trick. Otherwise, that door would have made a hell lot of sound.
When the door opened, he was greeted by Iseldir and Alator. They both bowed and said, " Welcome to Arcaenia, my lords and ladies. "
They had brought five horses with them and each of them rode on one. Merlin helped his mother to ride on a black mare. Then he rode on a white stallion entered the city.
What he saw inside was not what he expected. He imagined that it would be a city full of stone buildings and bustling market stalls.
Instead he found a stone paved road starting from the gate which went towards another huge golden wall . The golden wall encircled the great white tower. To the left of the road, he saw a streched out farmland as far as the eye could see. And on his right was a grassland and numerous horses were grazing happily. There was a huge stone building which looked more like a fortress at the far right side of the road.
" That's the grand stable. We groom all our horses there. This grassland is called the grooming ground. " Uriel said to Merlin seeing his questioning look.
" And that is the farming ground. " Uriel pointed to the left.
" There are also the learning ground and the training ground on the other side of the city. " Iseldir said from behind.
" But this is huge. How can something this big fit on the island ? " Merlin asked. Then he thought it was a dumb question.
So, he answered himself. " Magic. "
" Yes, Merlin. Elmet is the center of magic and Arcaenia is it's heart. Magic was one of the key element of founding this city. " Uriel said proudly.
" But when I first came here, there was no city or no lake ." Merlin said to Uriel.
" That was the result of the curse. The curse destroyed the kingdom. But when you freed me, you healed the curse of this land and this magical kingdom and it's glorious capital came into being again. " Uriel said with a hint of gratitude in his voice.
Merlin changed the subject sensing that Iseldir and Alator would begin to praise him again.
He pointed to the golden inner wall and asked , " Which stone was used to build that wall. I have never seen anything like this. "
This time Alator spoke up. " The inner wall was built by Roland Ignotus' grandfather, Pelegius Ignotus. During his time, magical people from different continent used to gather annually in this city using the great portal of Elmet.
The magical people of Bharatbarsha, a country east of Persian empire used to come here too. They gifted the king with huge amount of Limestone found in the dessert of that country. The king took a fascination on the golden stone and imported tons of them in our city. He used those golden limestone to build the inner wall. "
Then Iseldir said, " When the morning sun comes up, the ray of the sun glitters the wall and it makes the wall shine like gold. It is beautiful. "
Hearing all those talks of magic made Merlin's heart fill with joy. He was only a few hours in this land and he is already feeling that he belongs here.
His thought was cut short by Uriel's words.
" We're entering the inner city now. " Then he rode ahead of them , entered the city through the already opened stone gates and shouted at the bustling people of the city.
" People of Elmet, People of Elmet, your king has come. Emrys has come. "
The commotion died down then and there. The people looked at the great gate of the city. When Merlin entered with his mother on his right and Aithusa on the left, people began to cheer loudly.
A young Druid child shouted. " Praise be to The One. The king has arrived. Long live the king. "
The people chorused loudly.
" Long live the king. "
Merlin felt afraid. He began to feel unsure if he could fulfill his responsibilty properly. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked at his right and saw his mother smiling at him.
" Don't worry, Merlin. You'll do a fine job. We're in this together. "
He smiled at his mother and nodded approvingly.
He looked ahead and followed Uriel. People continued to cheer. Uriel led him through the huge city and finally they stopped at the center of a huge marble stone paved courtyard. At the far side of the courtyard was a golden throne. Thousands of people were gathered in the courtyard.
Uriel got off his horse. Merlin followed his action. Then he helped his mother to get down.
Uriel approached Merlin and said , " Come , Merlin. It's time for your coronation. "
Merlin almost panicked hearing Uriel's words. " WHAT ? NOW ? HERE ? "
Uriel huffed, " Yes, now and here. Do you have any problem ? "
" Of course. I am not ready. " Merlin protested.
" Nonsense. You are as ready as you can be. And besides, the people shouldn't be denied it's king any longer. Come along now, follow me. "
" Alright. " Merlin said half-heartedly.
He followed Uriel and came near the throne.
" Now face the throne and be down on your right knee. " Uriel instructed.
Merlin did as he was asked. He was already filling very nervous. Now he knew how Arthur felt on his coronation day. Arthur. That traitor. He scolded himself and promised not to think his name.
He heard Uriel saying. " We have gathered here at the coronation of our new king of Elmet, Merlin Emrys Ignotus Ambrosius. Son of Balinor Ambrosius and Hunith Ignotus. Does anyone have any objection ? "
" No. " Thousands of voices boomed through the courtyard.
Then Uriel asked him in a deep solemn voice.
" Do you solemnly promise and swear to serve your people according to the laws and traditions of Elmet and of the ancient religion ? "
Suddenly Merlin's nervousness evaporated. He began to feel that this was the right thing he was doing. So, he confidently answered. " I solemnly swear so to do. "
" Do you promise to treat your people with kindness and mercy ? "
" I promise so to do . "
" And do you promise to protect your people until your dying breath ? "
Merlin took a deep breath and said, " I do. "
Then Uriel put his crown on Merlin's head and said, " Then by the power vested in me, I , Uriel Ignotus crown you as king. Rise now, Merlin Ambrosius. King of Elmet. "
King Merlin rose wearing his servant attire and faced his people.
" Behold your rightful king and heir to the throne of the kingdom of Elmet. Long live the king in prosperity. " Uriel said to the gathered people
The people shouted in unison.
" Long live the king. "
" Long live the king. "
" Long live the king. "
Everyone of Arcaenia continued chanting. A pale skinned young woman was the exception. She looked at the newly crowned king with pride and was smiling happily. When the king saw her, they locked eyes for several seconds.
Then a huge grin began to appear on his face too.
The woman shouted.
" Long live the king. "
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
So how did I do ? Please kindly review and tell me. Happy reading.