So sorry for the delay a LOT has happened. Let's continue shall we?

Disclaimer: I don't own anything only my ideas, anything you recognise belongs to the BBC. :)

Chapter 17: Evil Rises

Present

Beyond the blood sky was the figure of an old man standing alone holding a long wooden stick before disappearing away further into the bloodied sky. It was clear the old man had helped stop the battle. The battle was won, but the war was lost on both sides it seemed. Was this what defeat looked like?


A few hours earlier

Kilgarrah landed gracefully minutes after being summoned by Merlin. "Yes, young warlock?" He asked impatiently.

"We need a ride to the Forest of Ascetir to get Arthur's sword." Merlin spoke quickly, eyeing the dragon.

"I am not a horse, Merlin!" Kilgarrah chastised the young man as Morgause laughed to herself.

"Please we need to get there and meet back with Arthur and the others at Ealdor before Morgana realises where we are."

"Very well." The dragon bowed in front of them so the pair could climb on.


In Camelot, Morgana sat in her new room as Queen looking through papers as Agravaine came walking in. Raising head as she heard his footsteps then looking back at her papers she spoke, "I thought I told you to leave at once?"

"My men are all ready to depart." Agravaine responded dutifully.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"I... I just wanted to say goodbye." Before he speak further, she replied.

"Consider it done."

"And to ask you to take care." He knew this battle would likely not end well for either him nor Morgana.

"Why?" Her full attention was on him now as she asked sharply. "I have nothing to fear."

"Despite all that you have achieved, Morgana, you must remain cautious. There is danger at every turn. Do not forget your sister and the serving boy work against you. You can trust no one, not even Helios." Agravaine tried to warn her again.

"No one except you. Is that it?" She asked cockily.

"I am your one true ally, my lady. I am your one true friend. I would do anything for you. You know that."

"I am grateful for your loyalty, Agravaine. That is why I have entrusted this mission to you."

"I understand. Of course, I do. I only wish it did not take me from your side where I can best protect you."

"Find Arthur, and you need never leave my side again." Morgana smiled charmingly at him before muttering "my lady" and leaving. The High Priestess sat back in her chair smirking to herself. Soon she would have Arthur at her mercy.


Merlin and Morgause got to Ealdor at the same time as Arthur, Gwen and the knights. First thing Merlin did was find his mother, Hunith. It was nightfall before they knew it and they all went to get some rest ready for the days ahead. The two sorcerers sat together outside Hunith's little home. "Is this where you used to live before Camelot?" Morgause questioned as she looked round.

"Yes, it was nice. It was a simple life, a lot simple than now." Merlin grinned at her.

"Did anyone know about your magic here? Besides your mother."

"Just her and my best friend Will. We used to always get into trouble because I struggled controlling my magic. When my mother found out he knew, I'm sure she nearly had a heart attack because she just wanted to make sure I was safe."

"What happened to him?" The blonde asked gently.

"He died. Protecting Arthur and then in turn protecting me. I used magic in front of Arthur back when we first met and he accused me or Will of using the magic. Since Will was dying he took the blame for it because Arthur wouldn't be able to kill him. He was so scared." He wiped a tear away as he spoke.

"He seems like a good friend."

"He was. The best." They sat together, Morgause holding Merlin as he cried. "I feel like I always lose people close to me. Will, my father, Freya."

"Who's Freya?" The blonde questioned, not hearing the name before.

"She was my first love. A druid but was cursed by a witch to become a murderous beast at night. I loved her and was going to run away with her but that night she turned and I managed to get through to her but Arthur thought he was saving everyone and landed a killing blow. It wasn't his fault though, it was the witch's. Anyway I took her to the Lake of Avalon where she died and now she is the Lady of the Lake."

"I'm sorry about Freya. I can't say you won't lose anyone else, but, you won't lose me, or Arthur. We will stop Morgana, after all is it not your destiny?"

"But at what price?" Before either one could utter another word they saw torches in the hills, an army heading towards them. They all hid as they came closer as Merlin whispered to the King, "go round the back, I'll cause a distraction." As they could see Agravaine coming closer the other disappeared round the back as told, then Merlin used his magic to wheel a cart forward before whispering a spell to set it alight before running off to meet the others. As they all ran they heard Merlin behind them shouting in another language for Kilgarrah to come and protect them.

The group ran to the caves and as they did so they saw the dragon attacking the army. "Which way now?" Arthur asked once in the tunnel. Merlin looked unsure for a moment. "I thought you said you grew up in these tunnels."

"I did. It's just... it could be that way."

"Or it could be that way." Arthur replied unimpressed.

"Yes."

"That's very reassuring." Arthur said sarcastically as Merlin set off in one of the directions and everyone else followed. Unbeknownst to them Agravaine and his men were now following them into the cave.

As they ventured deeper into the cave they heard noises from behind them. "I thought you'd lost them." Arthur muttered quietly to Merlin.

"I did too." Merlin replied.

"It won't take long for them to find us, my lord." Leon perked up.

"I'll go back." Merlin suggested.

"Be careful." Morgause pitched in.

"It's too risky." Arthur said.

"I know these tunnels and Agravaine doesn't. Besides I also have magic to defend myself with." Merlin replied sarcastically. "You keep going." He hands Arthur his torch.

"Merlin. Don't do anything stupid." The blonde King told him pointedly.

Merlin looked him the eye, looked away, then looked back with a stupid grin on his face. "Me?" He says before dashing off back the way they came.

"He'll be fine, Arthur. Come on we need to go." Gwen spoke up before the rest carried on through the cave.

Merlin ran back through the cave before he hid behind a rock wall once he heard he was close to Agravaine and what was left of his men. Giving one good exhale he jumped out of his hiding place shouting, "oh, hello!" And then running off to the path behind him, away from the others as the soldiers gave chase. Eventually, Merlin hit a dead end in the cave where the King's uncle caught up with him. "Merlin! Merlin." He called as the warlock slowly turned to face the enemy. "Where's Arthur?"

"Be careful." Merlin warned as Agravaine looked around the enclosed space they were in.

"What are you talking about? Where's Arthur?" He questioned further. "Tell me. Now. Or I'll have to kill you. And don't even think about muttering any spells, I know about your magic don't forget."

"I don't think so." The younger man shook his head.

"Huh?" With that Agravaine went to step forward ready to swing his sword with the final blow. However, Merlin had other plans as he wordlessly sent the army flying back with an invisible force. Before Merlin could pass them once they were out cold or worse, Agravaine began coughing and gasping for air as if the blow had winded him. "How did you do that? Your magic?" He looked shocked as he could have sworn he heard no spell being spoken by the other man.

"I was born with it." Merlin spoke defiantly. "I am Emrys as you well know. I am the only warlock."

"I am impressed, Merlin. Being at court all this time, by Arthur's side. Perhaps we are more alike than you think." As he says this, he reaches out his hand toward Merlin, in which the other man reacts in defensive holding up his hand to stop him advancing. By doing this Agravaine moves away again causing Merlin to back down enough so he can pull out his dagger in one swift motion swinging it at the warlock. Agravaine, however, is no match for Merlin as he immediately holds both hands out towards Agravaine sending the man flying back by another invisible force, this time he would not be waking up.


NEXT TIME: THE FINAL BATTLE IS UPON US...

TBC