A/N:

Thanks to all reviewers at really does make my day when I hear people are enjoying this. And full honesty this chapters been ready for a couple of days, but last week was a bit of a rough week. So here you go, this weeks chapter.

Enjoy!

Ilandrae

Disclaimer: Je ne possède pas de Merlin, mais je veux pratiquer mon français

CHAPTER 15 – NEW DESTINIES

Camelot Council Room

Lancelot couldn't help but stare at Maria. Something about her just drew his attention. He guessed it was something to do with her spiritual affinity, and his own recently returned soul.

People were speaking all around, telling their own stories where required, but he kept glancing at the sorceress, attempting to puzzle her out.

He recalled her from his time observing Merlin from the spirit realm of course. Remembered her aura which could be felt even across the veil. But now face to face it was overpowering and seemed to pull at his recently returned soul.

Suddenly her disconcerting purple gaze met his and Lancelot snapped out of his reverie, hurriedly looking away as Maria raised a challenging eyebrow.

"Lancelot?"

Then he realised that everyone was looking at him. Lancelot tried to focus on the task at hand, the reason he'd asked Merlin to summon the Council.

"Yes Guinevere?"

"I asked what your story was" the Queen repeated "We have all told our stories yet the tale behind your miraculous return still lies in the dark."

"Indeed, Sir Knight" Maria leant back in her chair, surveying him, "I for one am very intrigued. Life does not come cheaply, especially for those who have already had theirs."

Merlin nodded, "The spirits are powerful yes. But they cannot simply give life to those who have passed. That kind of magic always comes at a price. To give life, a life must be taken. Not even the spirits can upset that balance."

Many eyes widened at this and Lancelot grew sombre, "You are correct Merlin. The balance could not be upset. Life was payed… willingly. Them that paid it do not wish me to tell you their identity. They did it for you, for Albion, they knew your heart would struggle with what has been asked of you."

At everyone's questioning gaze he sighed, "I should start from the beginning. My tale begins when you thought it ended, the moment I died."

The knight paused for a moment, "Dying is…" he searched for the word, "disconcerting."

"Never would've guessed" Merlin mumbled sarcastically.

Lancelot smiled having no further response, "I suppose my passing was fast tracked as I simply walked into the spirit realm without my physical body actually dying. But so, I was there, and there I stayed."

"What do you mean?" Leon asked, "What did you do?"

Lancelot shrugged, "I watched, talked with some others who had passed. But mainly I watched the world. From the spirit realm we could see everything and everyone. Saw it all, yet could influence none of it."

Gwen's eyes were sympathetic, "That must have been…"

"Frustrating" Lancelot agreed, "and at times heartbreaking. But as the times passed the others also joined me. Isolde, Eleon, Gwaine, Arthur" he glanced at a certain warlock who was staring off into the distance, temporarily lost in memories.

Then Lancelot couldn't help but smile, "But I have to say, one of my favourite moments was when Uther joined us. You should have seen his reaction when he realised he'd given his son a warlock for a manservant" that got him a few smirks.

"So, one by one I was joined by the others as they passed. Some moved on and found peace. Others stayed and watched the world with me. We saw the great battle and witnessed Morgana's fate. We watched as Merlin blamed himself for Arthur's death and didn't return." He paused, his next remark addressed to Merlin, "He was screaming at you the entire time, for blaming yourself. I hope you realise that."

"That sounds about right" Merlin muttered, "Even in death he didn't stop trying to order me around."

Lancelot didn't even try to hide his smile, "We watched as Gwen became the Queen we all knew she could be, as Art was born and as you decided to keep his magic a secret." Gwen smiled sadly, "We saw Merlin as you travelled all across the lands, Arthur for one never seemed to let you out of his sight other than to turn to Gwen and Art. But then one day, you were gone."

"Gone?" Gaius queried no doubt releasing how peculiar it was, that he hadn't been able to see Merlin from the spirit realm.

"Hidden from our sight" Lancelot studied Merlin trying to gauge his reaction.

It had been a worrying time for all. Three years he had been hidden from them. Three years that they did not know where he had been or what had happened to him. But still now, Merlin's expression was blank, even as the Council looked to him also.

"Sparks?" Westerad said quietly.

"You know I don't talk about that time Wes" Merlin said sharply and Lancelot was a little shocked by the darkness in his tone.

Isabel smiled kindly, "Merlin don't you think it-"

"I SAID NO!" nearly everyone recoiled at the snarled words. Merlin took a deep breath and said more quietly, "Not yet. Maybe not ever."

While the Camelotians looked concerned and confused the Council members merely looked disgruntled. It was a frequently debated topic, Lancelot knew, one that even he did not know the answer to.

"Anyway" he continued on and attempted to move on from Merlin's suddenly darkened mood, "We watched as your travelled Merlin seeking teachers and instructors. As you found the Council and a new place in the world. But it was also during this time that things in the spirit realm became restless."

Again, Lancelot felt the weight of those purple eyes upon him, "What do you mean?" Maria queried.

"It started with small things. A dark spell here, the summoning of a single dead soul there. But it increased exponentially. Soon dark spirits began to stir, creatures of the dark began to awake. Things that had not even shifted during Morgana's shadowy wars began to shift and murmur."

"Demons, darkness and death" Maria whispered her eyes wide.

"Indeed" Lancelot said.

"But how could this be?" Maria asked, "How could the spirits have allowed so great a darkness to grow?"

"Wait-wait-wait" Tristan said breaking in, "I know I came late to this party but am I the only one who's lost as to what's going on?"

"No" Gwen said, "I for one am confused also."

Lancelot silently backtracked a few mental paces. He'd raced on ahead a little when Maria had seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. But it was not him who spoke next.

"The evil of Morgana cast a great shadow" Merlin said fingering one of the amulets around his neck. As he spoke it seemed as if he was reciting the words of another, "It was a shadow of darkness and despair so thick that none could see through it, nor see what hid within it."

"Yes Merlin" Lancelot said uncertainly unsure how much his friend knew, "Within Morgana's shadow another darkness hid. One that knew how to remain quiet and unseen, even by the spirits. After Morgana's defeat it bade its time, waiting for its chance. Even now we do not know who, or what, or where it is. Nor when it will strike next. All that is known is that is out there. Somewhere."

Merlin let out an exasperated sigh, "I still do not see what this has to do with me Lancelot. I completed my destiny, killed Morgana, helped Arthur unite Albion. My job is done."

"Don't you see Merlin!" Lancelot couldn't help his increase in volume, "The spirits were so focussed on Morgana, so focussed on uniting Albion that they were blind to what now follows. As you know the Black Sorcerer is no mere mage. He has apprentices of immense power and the magic he himself wields is so great that he can hide even from the spirits. Do you know how long it took to organise and arrange Morgana's downfall? To craft the destiny which you lived? Eons. We do not have that time now. Do not have time to create a force to stand against the darkness."

Lancelot took a deep breath before continuing, knowing his next words weren't going to be well met, "It is due to his talent for secrecy and subtlety that no plan has been made to stop him. No saviour or destined foe created to face him."

Merlin's eyes locked to Lancelot's and suddenly the knight saw the pain that was in them. Merlin knew what it was Lancelot was going to ask. And he was terrified.

But Lancelot steeled himself, there was no other choice.

"But no knew destiny will be needed if one which has already come to be steps in to fill the void"

"HASN'T MERLIN DONE ENOUGH!" Lancelot jumped at the shouted words.

But it wasn't the volume which had startled him and near everyone else in the room. It was the man who spoke them.

Gaius rose shakily to his feet, anger, so uncharacteristic of the aged physician, raging in his eyes.

"You may have been among them for a time Lancelot, may know some of what Merlin did. But I can assure you, you do not know it all. That man has been giving for Camelot, giving for Albion, giving for those damn spirits since he was a boy! He did as they wished. He gave all he needed to give. And now! When it seems he has gained some semblance of peace! They ask more of him!"

Lancelot looked around helplessly for aid in the face of the normally serene man's fury. But all seemed as shocked as he.

All that is, except Merlin who seemed to trade his terror for distant horror. Again whispering as if repeating the words of another, words that rattled him.

"Shadows within shadows. Darkness within death. The lights of the past, lit again. Old meets new, the mantle is given. All must face the darkness that was hidden."

"Merlin" Gaius queried uncertainly and the warlock sighed.

"Something a friend once said to me."

"Your friend sounds like a seer Sparky" Westerad scratched his beard, "Only seers talk like that. Making sense yet no one understands all at the same time"

"It is much to ask Lancelot" Merlin said dejectedly, "Like Gaius said, I followed their plans for essentially my entire life. I did what they wanted, what I was destined to do. I'm not sure what else I have to give."

Lancelot nodded, "The spirits understand this, knew that you would likely not be happy with what was asked. So, they are providing a sort of gift."

"Gift? The spirits do not give gifts" Maria said sharply.

"Then think of it more as payment." Lancelot said with a shrug, "We are going to need all the help we can get. So, it has been arranged for the knights of the round table to return once more."

At this Merlin's eyes snapped to his, "What?"

"In the order of which we fell we are being brought back. Awakening at the spot where our life originally ended, they all know to return here."

"All of them?" Merlin said, his voice again small.

"Everyone" Lancelot confirmed. "Me, Elyon, Gwaine and a gift for another to join our cause" He glanced at Tristan who was having trouble hiding his smile despite the grim topic.

"Isolde" Merlin guessed.

"She's coming back to me Merlin" Tristan said, tearing up a little.

"Four lives" Maria said worriedly, "four lives returned for those who have already lived. The price for that…"

"As I said before. It has been paid. Willingly and in full" he turned back to Merlin, "Upon my arrival I sought out Tristan to tell him of what is happening and bring him here. But now Merlin… it is up to you."

"The spirits want me to face another evil sorcerer and save Albion?"

Lancelot didn't know what else he could do other than nod.

"Of course they do" Merlin muttered, "They forgot to look past Morgana, forgot that the world didn't end with her. But hey! I'm here guess I can just do it all over again!" everyone gave him odd looks as he continued to mutter quietly to himself.

Merlin sighed and fell back in his chair, a million thoughts running through his head. There was another big bad, another task, another destiny. How much more could the spirits ask of him? As he sat there wallowing, the now way to familiar presence of the spirits entered him.

We know we ask much Emrys… some have said too much.

You think? Merlin wasn't afraid to talk back anymore.

Accept this new destiny Emrys and you will not be the only one. New destinies are being born even as we speak. The Lady Knight… the King of Magic… The Queen who finds the light after so long in the darkness. These cannot come to be without you. Without you, they will perish…

New Destinies… Merlin thought as the spirits left once more. He had thought he was done with destinies, done with uncontrollable fates. Now he was to accept another future when he could barely cope with the last?

"You've already returned to Camelot Merlin" Lancelot said softly, "All that is asked is that you continue to do what you have always done. Protect Camelot. Protect the Pendragons. You cannot do this alone nor will you be"

"Don't think you will be fighting alone Merlin" Leon said reassuringly, "We are all here, we will all fight. The others are returning, your magic is free. There is no need to hide"

There was silence for a few moments before Merlin spoke. He chose his words carefully.

"I will not seek out the path that the spirits have decided to lay at my feet Lancelot" the warlock said. As the knight's face fell he hurried to continue, "But I'm not going anywhere either. If anyone tries to harm something I care about, I will protect it. I will always protect Camelot. I will always protect the Pendragons. I owe it to Arthur. I owe him that much. If the others return, so be it. But I will not let myself be a pawn of the spirits once more. I'm living my life where I see fit. Right now, that just happens to be here."

Despite this, Lancelot felt that his friend still didn't quite understand the seriousness of the situation "Merlin please. You don't kn-" he tried to reason with him one more time but was cut off.

"That's it Lance. Take it or leave it. I've said my piece and now I say that this meeting is adjourned."

The warlock turned to his fellow council members, "You should probably go now."

"We will remain vigilant Emrys" Iseldir said solemnly.

"If we hear anything Merlin, we'll let you know" Isabel said with a smile.

"I'll keep a close eye on the spirit realm my friend" Maria reassured him, "If I hear of anything shifting in the darkness, you will be the first to know."

"Thank-you, all of you" Merlin smiled, "Farewell my friends, until we meet again."

"See ya Sparks" Westerad gave a lopsided grin, "You seriously need to try that cyclone spell though."

A/N:

Thanks and stay strong.

I ;)