Author's note : I am so sorry for this outrageous lateness. I lost my muses for this story but thanks to koala789 's very nice review, I found it back. I apologise if my writing is sloppy and for the shortness of this chapter. But I am getting into Merlin again and I will start serious writing from tomorrow. For now, let's get on with the story
Chapter 45
Where the world ends
This was the place where it would happen. The fate of Albion would be decided here.
Between the two mountains of Izrakh and Hanxar. In the canyon of Camlann where the million numbers of the enemy would mean nothing.
This was where they would make their stand as the last defense of Albion. If they failed, the whole of Albion would be plunged into darkness and chaos.
And they wouldn't let that happen. Merlin wouldn't let that happen. He had persuaded the kings of the north after much heated debate that they should make a stand here.
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[ Flashback start ]
" We have our best chance here, your majesties. Inside the impregnable walls of Arcaenia. We can hold them back and break this horde of darkness forever. " said Bremen, the king of Iolario, the most north kingdom of Albion.
" And let the whole of southern Albion burn to the ground? Use your head. " Yelled Tommen.
" And what's left of the south, my young king? Only Camelot and Essetir still stands. Even Gwant, queen Elena's kingdom had fallen yesterday. " Bremen said.
" But if we march south, we might be able to save hundreds of thousands innocent lives that were waiting for help from north. We should march with the army of Camelot and defeat this menace. " said king James of Bernicia.
" And what if we fail? All seventy thousand brave men and women would be dead who are the last hope of us. King Bremen is right. We should make our stand here. At least here we'll have a chance. " King Urien spoke up.
The entire council hall broke into loud chatter. Each king and queen began to express their own opinion.
The kings and queens of north had all come to Elmet's capital along with their army. It had been decided in Amata that they would march to Camelot aiding the people of south against the undead menace.
But after coming in Arcaenia, news began to come of the falls of southern kingdoms.
Odin's and Alined's capital were first to fall. Those foolish kings thought that the army of Ajajil would help them to conquer the south.
They didn't know that the lord of manipulation didn't share power. Alined and Odin's kingdoms were simultaneously ravaged by two corps of the undead army. One army went north-eastward and the other north-westward.
The north-western army sacked Cornwall, Bretonia and yesterday they had taken Gwant. It was most probable that they would attack the city of Camelot next.
But the morth-eastern army was much more ruthless. They had ravaged Nemeth, Anglia, Mercia, Tir-Moor, Kent and killed most of these kingdom's people. News had reached to Arcaenia that they were besieging the city of Essetir.
The kings and queens of north had no time to lose if they wanted to save Albion.
But the news of unstoppable undead army had spooked many of the royalties and now they were bickering among each other like some petulant children.
To say the truth, Merlin was getting more and more irritated. They were not true to their word. Yet, they were sitting in his round table, shouting in his own council chamber with not a single care what he might have to say.
He had had enough of it.
" I demand silence in my council. " Merlin yelled at the top of his voice.
All of the commotion died down.
Merlin took a deep breath and exhaled.
" What has happened to all of you? we had all agreed to march to Camelot when we were in Amata. But it seemed that some of you are panicking out hearing all these grim news. "
All the royals against of marching bowed their head down.
" Don't be ashamed. " Merlin said.
" Every one should fear what is ahead of us. Believe me, even I am afraid. "
All of the occupants of the room looked surprised at Merlin's sudden confession.
" But that fear will not deter me from facing Ajajil. "
Merlin continued.
" Let me make it very clear, I am going with Arthur to Camelot. I am taking my army with me. Whether you like to follow me or not it's up to you. But let me tell you one thing. Without you, our chance to win would lessen considerably and if me and my army fail, then I assure you that you will stand no chance against Ajajil and his army for only I have the power to overpower him. What you will do next is up to you. But remember that by coming with me you will increase the chance of our success and without me, you will have no chance of success even behind the great walls of Arcaenia. "
[ Flashback end ]
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After that all of the kings of north unanimously although some reluctantly agreed to come with Merlin. After all, none wanted to incur the wrath of the wealthiest and mightiest king of north.
And now they were here. With seventy thousand soldiers. Among them only two thousands were proficient in magic and all of them came from Arcaenia. They were mightiest portion of the force and they be at the center at the army firing magical projectiles, fireballs, lightning bolts and so on towards the enemy while protected by the main army.
Even so, they were not the main fighting force of the army.
The most powerful weapon of the army would be Kilgharrah, Aithusa and Merlin himself.
Kilgharrah had told him that three ancient dragons had been awoken by Ajajil who were all banished to the abyss for mingling with the dark magic by the elder dragons of the mythical era.
Merlin knew only they could stop those dragons and if they failed, this battle would be a very short one. They were waiting for the north-eastern army of the undead which was led by Ajajil himself to pass through this mountain pass of Camlann.
Word had spread that Essetir had fallen and already many of the refugees had reached Camelot through the mountains of Izrakh and the forest of Ascetir.
There lied their second greatest problem. The army led by Ajajil wasn't the only army. There was another army which was approaching Camelot from the west. It was led by another younger djinn according to Kilgharrah.
But Merlin knew one thing. This whole army was empowered by the dark magic of Ajajil. If he could take him out, this whole menace would be over.
That didn't mean that Merlin hadn't thought about the unsafe condition Camelot would be in if they left it unguarded. So he and Arthur made a short stoppage in Camelot. It was there where he had met her. The one whom he had thought would never meet again.
He met there with the former high priestess of old religion, his former friend, former arch-enemy, Morgana Pendragon.
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[ Flashback Start ]
" Behold, their majesties, King Merlin Ambrosius Ignotus and Queen Freya Linorien Ambrosius, Lord and Lady of Elmet, Monarchs of the Druids and Catha tribes, protectors of the perilous lands and leaders of the northern alliance. "
Merlin smiled a little hearing the announcer. Beside him, his queen was also smiling in amusement .
It seemed Arthur left no lackings in arranging of a grand entrance. All the kings and queens of the north were present in the grand throne room of Camelot.
They all stopped here for discussing the danger of leaving Camelot defenseless while facing the north eastern army on the field.
Three years ago Merlin last had set foot on the polished marble floor of Camelot's throne room. But then, he was a servant, a man whom most people think of nothing more than a simple peasant with the privilege of being in presence of King of Camelot.
But today, everything was very much changed. He was not a servant to the king but a king himself.
A leader of his people by his own rights. The councilors of Camelot bowed to him and Freya. Looking at them with reverence instead of annoyance.
But there was also something else in their eyes. There was fear. Yes, Merlin could see fear in their eyes.
Fear of the unknown. It had always been mans nature to be fearful of unknown. To be afraid of something that they couldn't understand. Still, there was more than fear in the eyes of the Camelotians.
And it was desperation.
The people of Camelot understood what was coming and they knew it was magic and only magic which would be able to save them.
That's why they had supressed their superstition and were eager of the help which the people of north had brought.
Suddenly...
Merlin saw someone among the Camelotians and that put a complete full stop on his thoughts.
There she was. Standing beside the imperial crown prince of Holy German Empire. Clad in a golden dress wearing marvelous jewelry. She looked like just as she had been once.
Like the beautiful ward of Camelot who had been his oh so long ago.
The former high priestess, Morgana Pendragon.
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The council went very smoothly. Due to the imminent threat of being attacked by the undead army now stationed in Gawant, the Camelotians accepted the help the northerners had offered. It was then agreed upon that Merlin would provide a protection charm anchored by the crown of the Queen which would impediment any type of entry of the undead into the city of Camelot.
Which meant as long as Merlin was alive and the crown remained within the vicinity of Camelot.
And as Merlin was Emrys, with his power of the calling his reserve of magic was virtually limitless.
So if anyone's magic could stand against the undead army, it would be Merlin's.
However the said man's attention was barely ever to the council meeting. He always kept side glancing towards Morgana where she kept sitting beside the German prince.
Merlin had seen the German prince only in the state portrait of German imperial family. And it seemed the portrait hadn't exaggerated about the handsomeness of the prince.
And that was not all.
He had the bearing of a veteran diplomat which was very unusual for a man as young as him.
During the meeting, Morgana and The German prince kept side glancing at Merlin and Merlin was doing the same. In fact he barely paid any attention to the meeting after sealing the deal of protection with the Camelotians.
Arthur and the other kings began revising the plan of the oncoming battle. But the king of Elmet barely heeded any attention.
He kept glancing at Morgana who was looking at Arthur as if scrutinizing him.
Whenever Arthur proposed deploying magical weapons and beasts in battle, Morgana stiffened.
Merlin wondered what the reason could be.
After almost two hours, the council came to an end.
All the kings and queens began to leave.
In the end, it was only Arthur, Guinevere, him, Freya, Morgana and the imperial prince.
Then Merlin talked.
" Your Excellency Lady Morgana, can I have a private meeting with you? "
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It was the imperial prince who first voiced disagreement.
" Must we do this before a war? "
It almost seemed like he knew what Merlin had in his mind.
Then it clicked in him.
The prince was a telepath.
That's why he said nothing in the meeting only listened. Merlin could bet that he knew what was in the mind of the kings and queens even before the meeting started.
Now the Prince's motive became much uncertain to Merlin.
He then and there shielded his mind. The prince's lips twitched only barely but he noticed it.
" I am afraid I must insist, your highness. It is of utmost importance to me and my people. And my army will not move to the battleground if I don't clear some things with The Lady. "
The prince seemed unwilling but then Morgana whispered something in his ear and then the prince nodded.
Morgana looked at Merlin and said, " Very well, your majesty. I will talk with you. "
Arthur and Guinevere looked also uncomfortable but in the end they left. Arthur patted Merlin's back whispering a good luck to him.
Freya left with a simple nod and a short pec on his cheek.
The prince left but before he left Morgana surprised everyone and hugged him tightly.
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" So, what is this all about? " Morgana said.
" Your majesty. " she added hastily.
" What are you doing here? " Merlin asked.
" Wow! No how are you? We haven't met in person for a long time and you went straight to business. I feel hurt. "
She pressed her hand on her chest pretending to be hurt.
But Merlin had no time to waste in chit chatting. There's a battle coming soon.
" We have no time to enter in your little games, Morgana. I am asking you again, Morgana. Why are you here?
And don't lie to me. You know whom you're standing before. " This time Merlin's tone was more authoritative.
" Of course. How can I forget?. You are Emrys. My destiny and my doom. " Morgana almost growled in sudden anger.
Merlin became confused. What was she talking about? Her doom? Was it another of those damned prophecies?
" Who told you that? " Merlin asked with genuine curiosity.
" The caelich. She told me when I opened the veil on the night of Samhain. "
The caelich?
Hearing her name made Merlin's blood boil in anger. Morgana and Morgause may be the one who had tore the veil on that Samhain but it was The Caelich who refused to close the veil and in the end, it had cost her friend's life.
" That old hag said that? " Merlin's sudden rage surprised Morgana.
" Yes. And why sound so enraged, your majesty? Is it because she told the truth? Because she said what you are capable of? "
" Because she's another one of the prophecy crazy magical people who think our lives are not in our hands. But that's not true.
Our lives are our own. Don't let some stupid prophecy to cloud your judgement. " Merlin said stopping Morgana in the midway.
Morgana said nothing for a few seconds and then, she began to laugh.
A hysterical laughter.
One which is filled with mockery and contempt.
" Oh, really? " She asked. " Our lives are our own. Then why have you not helped me? Why have you hidden from me? Why have you believed in the dragon's prophecy when you know that our lives are your own? "
Merlin was gobsmacked.
How? Just how did she know that?
" Surprised? " Morgana smirked. " You may be the most powerful sorcerer in the world, Merlin. But there are also many great sorceres in this world and many of them live in the Holy German Empire. "
" They know about the prophecy of Emrys and of the Pendragons? " Merlin's haze of surprise hadn't yet passed.
" Yes, your majesty. During the great purge of... Uther, they fled Albion and took all the scrolls and tomes containing the prophecy and came to German lands where kings were much mpre lenient." Morgana said in a plain tone.
Merlin was a bit surprised to hear Morgana say the old king's name with not a bit of anger in her voice. Maybe at last she had realized that the king was to be pitied nothing more, nothing less.
But she dodged the real question and despite knowing that digging deeper might undermine the potential alliance between Morgana and the United kingdoms of Albion, he still craved to know just how much she had known about the prophecies. So, he asked, " And I presume that these tomes held the prophecies about you and me. "
" In a way, yes. " Morgana said coolly while running a finger through her long curled locks.
" In a way? " Merlin was a bit confused.
" The Imperial Arcane Universty and the imperial synod of mages drafted a complete collection of Albionic prophecies and published them in ' The complete collection of Prophecies of Western Europaland '. I read it in there. " Morgana said.
" That's a mouthful, my lady. " Merlin exclaimed.
" At least, I learned the prophecy from the humans rather than believing in a manipulative dragon. "
" Well, in my defense, it was quite an anti magical climate then in Camelot. "
" And you did nothing, Mer... sorry, your majesty. You could have told me if you hadn't been able to trust Arthur. Together, we... we... "
Morgana stammered and then suddenly stopped. Merlin understood what she was implying but that was a long time ago, so he didn't say anything. Instead, he changed the course of the conversation.
" How did you know about the dragon and him telling me the prophecies? None but Gaius knew that in Camelot" Merlin still couldn't figure that out.
Morgana sighed. It seemed that she was also relieved at the turn of the conversation. Then, she gave a crude smile.
" It's a secret. I might tell you one day, but not today. "
Now, Merlin wasn't irritated. No, not at all. Kings didn't get irritated. They were patient. He was not always a king, though. He was once the de facto spymaster of Camelot. And to not knowing something that much sensitive information about himself was... uneasy, a little bit uneasy for him who once knew about all that's going on in a kingdom.
Oh well! It's not that much of a big deal at this moment, Merlin thought trying to push his uneasiness away.
The big deal was what Morgana hadn't said yet and was evading from the begining from the conversation.
" Why did you come here, Lady Morgana? Would you please tell me? " Merlin asked with as much as politeness he could muster in his voice.
Morgana raised an eyebrow. Whatever she might have thought about Merlin's polite tone, it worked and Morgana replied, " To protect my homeland. "
Merlin understood which homeland, she was talking about but why did she have to come here to protect Holy Germania.
He asked her about it. So, she replied.
" I have heard what he had done to the Gaulians. I have seen what he had done to Anor Londo and it's people. I have once thought only of power. And in my rush, I forgot my conscience. I once asked for the curse one's help and for some reason, my mind kept saying that I was responsible in a way for his rising. And it's our only chance to stop him if we stand together. So, I came here to fight with you, to fight with you all against this horde of darkness so that this darkness doesn't taint German soil. "
Merlin might have been unsure about Morgana before this conversation but now he was not. What she told him was true passion and love and loyalty. He could see the old Morgana, the ward of Camelot in her new self, only this time she was not afraid. Yes, he might not trust her fully but he could call her an ally.
" You might not forgive me for what had been between us in the past but let us forget our past for the upcoming few days. " Merlin says in his best diplomat tone and extended his hand.
" What say you? "
Morgana smiled and she looked so much like that young woman who made his heart skip a beat so long time ago.
She took his hand and said, " Agreed. For a few days. "
The witch and the warlock were united. Things wouldn't be easy for the dark lord now.
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Before she left, Merlin asked one last question, " My Lady, The prince and you? "
Morgana stopped. She knew what he was asking. But she was confused what was happening between them. So she left saying, " There's something between us that was once between you and I "
She could hear Merlin wishing her luck as she left the throne room.
For sone odd reason, Morgana was pleased to hear that Merlin had a queen. It meant he had moved on. Maybe, one day, she could move on too.
Who knew what future could bring?
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That's all for today. Tell me what you think about it! Again sorry for any mistake. Will try to update soon. And this time, for real!
Be safe, all. Adios
- Assassin of Syria.