Hello folks i apologise for the long wait, college work is apparently never ending. Anyhow lets get on with it.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise belongs to Merlin and the BBC.


Chapter 16: The Battle is Nigh

Present

All you could see was the blood red sky as the silhouette of the Great Dragon flew away. The battle was over. Though to some it did not matter as there were knights of Camelot and members of the opposing army laying dead. Unsure on who actually won as they stood observing the scene. Was this what victory looked like?


Few hours earlier

Morgana's army was advancing fast towards the citadel as Arthur watched frozen as his uncle marched with his enemy. He felt like such a fool. Why was all his family intent on killing him all because of his father? It was not his fault his father hated magic and killed those that possessd it. However, it was all Uther's fault for going to Nimueh in the first place all because he wanted an heir to the throne therefore killing Igraine, making Agravaine hate him, then punishing those with magic as he blamed them for his wife's death, therefore making Morgana hate him. "Get back inside, get Gaius to start getting ready to treat any wounded." Arthur told Merlin as he drew his sword, as did Morgause. "You should go with him Morgause."

"Not a chance. Besides he would kill me if I let you go on your own." Morgause answered as the three went their separate ways. As they travelled through the halls of the castle back towards where everyone was camped out, Arthur saw Agravaine with Helios and Morgana and some other Saxons. He got ready to go attack them before Morgause stopped him.

"What are you doing?" Arthur spat at her.

"Stopping you from trying to get yourself killed. There are too many and besides Morgana would kill us both." Morgause dragged him back right as they bumped into Merlin.

"We need to go. Morgana's army has control of the castle. We have to leave Camelot." Merlin told them both.

"No. I will not leave my people." The King argued.

"What use are you to your people dead? We have to go."

"What about Gwen?"

"She got out with Percival and Leon. Gwaine is with Gaius in the castle and I don't know where Elyan is. I told Leon to head for Ealdor they won't look for us there. We can get shelter and come back when we can."

"Fine. Let's go." The three made a quick exit out of Camelot towards Ealdor not looking back to see the havoc Morgana had brought on his kingdom.


Morgana sat on the throne looking into the empty space. It seemed that Arthur, Emrys and Morgause had fled the kingdom and covered their tracks. Helios and Agravaine entered the room. "Any news on Arthur?"

"He must have fled the city, there are no tracks but the kingdom is ours." Helios told Morgana.

Morgana just laughed in response. "I do not care that the kingdom is ours. I want Arthur found! Along with his two pet magicians."

"We have men scouting the woods my lady. It won't be long until we find them I'm sure." Agravaine butted in although he did not believe this himself. She was surrounded by idiots. That's when she decided she would go and look for them herself.


As they made their way through the woods towards Ealdor they had bumped into Elyan who had just escaped Camelot. "We need to keep moving. Morgana will no doubt be following us." Merlin told the rest of them after they had stopped to greet Elyan.

"Merlin's right. We need to keep going and reach Ealdor, it will be sundown soon and we need somewhere safe to camp." Morgause responded. No sooner had those words had been spoken all four of them were blasted back by magic. As soon as they hit the ground they all got up running deeper into the forest with the Saxons chasing them. Elyan stayed behind so the others could keep going but before long the Saxons managed to overpower him taking him to Morgana.


"We found this one in the woods m'lady." One of them pushed Elyan down in front of her in her throne.

"Where are Arthur, Emrys and Morgause headed?" Morgana questioned him but got no reply just a deathly stare. "I didn't think you'd answer either." She turned away and grabs a small black snake holding it out so Elyan can see. "Do you know what this is? No? It's a Nathair in the mountains of Asgard. Harmless enough most of the time, but with a little persuasion, it can cause a man pain beyond all imagining. So you have a choice. Tell me where Arthur is or sample the delights of my little friend here."

"I'll tell you nothing." Elyan replies defiantly.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Morgana smirks before chanting a spell and holding Elyan next to the snake as he screams in pain.

Helios and Agravaine stood outside waiting for Morgana to return as Helios eats some chicken as they listen to the pained screams. "Good God, will it ever end?" Agravaine mutters quite clearly disturbed.

"What's wrong? Don't have the stomach for it?" Helios asked mockingly. Just then Morgana comes out.

"Arthur travels to Ealdor. You will leave without delay. And Agravaine, fail me again and you'll be taking Elyan's place." She smirked as she stalked past.


"I have an idea." Merlin whispered to Morgause as they headed towards Ealdor, Arthur strolled ahead.

"Which is?" Morgause asked.

"The sword I used to fight the immortal army, I can use that against Morgana. It is not a mortal blade so it can be used against her can't it?"

"I suppose it could work but you have to remember that she knows about your magic now."

"You know that is something that is confusing me. We both know that she knows who I am but she has not done anything to get me or even you out of the way. Is she that arrogant that she thinks she can change destiny? I know you cannot change it I have tried myself." Merlin spoke aloud grabbing Arthur's attention.

"No need to sound so disappointed on the fact she has not come after you yet Merlin." The King said whilst rolling his eyes.

"He does have a point though. Why has she not tried anything?" The High Priestess agreed with Merlin.

"Let's just be grateful she ha-" Arthur stopped suddenly raising his hand to stop the other two behind him. They could hear quiet voices in the distance, thinking it could be bandits or Morgana's men the three of them crept forward silently. As they got closer they recognised the voices to be Gwen, Leon, and Percival making them make their presence known. "Guinevere!" Arthur slightly jogged towards her giving her a large embrace before turning to Leon and Percival giving each of them a quick handshake. "Are there any others with you?"

"No, Sire, but we believe there are a few of the people and other knights around here somewhere." Leon answered dutifully.

"Elyan was with us but I believe he got captured by Morgana."

"Gwaine and Gaius are still in Camelot, they stayed behind." Merlin added from behind Arthur. "I think we should split up, I need to go to the Forest of Ascetir and collect something that could help us defeat Morgana."

"We'll all go." Arthur instantly responded.

"It would be best if you guys keep heading toward Ealdor, me and Morgause will head to the Forest of Ascetir. I do not plan on walking there so it would probably be better just two of us go."

The blonde man looked unsure before finally relenting. "Very well but make sure you come straight back to Ealdor."

"Hey with the way we're getting there we might get there first." Merlin laughed. "Be careful. All of you. We will probably see you guys in a few hours." As the two sorcerers watched the others leave, Merlin called to the sky to Kilgarrah. "He is not going to like me for this. I bet you the first thing he says when I ask him will be about him not being a horse." They both smirked at each other before turning to watch the sky.


NEXT TIME: THE FINAL BATTLE CONTINUES... yeah y'all ain't gettin' nothin' else outta me ;)

TBC