A/N:

So, I'm late. Again. It seems I was correct about that stumbling horribly thing. Blame life.

But in other news I have finished writing this story and have started part 2! It is going to be so much fun.

Enjoy!

Ilandrae

Disclaimer: I. Don't. Own. Merlin.

CHAPTER 35 – WITCH AND WARLOCK

Hengist's Fortress – Merlin POV

Sure enough, Diara's eyes were trained on him.

She was a petit girl, around the same age as Mel. Across her nose a splash of freckles stood stark against fair skin and her brown hair was braided down her back. A small, sly smile graced her mouth. But it was her eyes that caused him concern. They held more rage than he'd ever seen in a person. Anger enough to rival even Morgana.

"Emrys," she said simply, almost with glee. She cast a glance to the other side of the room where Ceador had been sitting out of view. The boy looked miserable, slumped against a wall like a child told to be still. But his eyes widened with joy when he saw Merlin. He leapt up and pointed furiously between Merlin and Diara.

"Yes, yes." Diara sounded bored. "I see you weren't lying Ceador. You may speak again." She waved a hand, and her eyes flashed.

Ceador's mouth opened like it had been unsealed.

"I told you all it was Emrys who sent me from Camelot. I have no doubt all this resurrection business is to do with him too."

"Don't make me silence you again," Diara snapped and Ceador hastily stopped talking.

Merlin couldn't help shooting a wicked grin in Ceador's direction. "At least it seems you've learned not to mess with things you don't understand." Ceador glared at him but said nothing.

"Merlin!" Elyon exclaimed from his cage. "Am I glad to see you."

The warlock flashed the trapped knight a smile. "I'll get you out in a minute Elyon. Will just have to deal with this first."

The guards hadn't moved when he had revealed himself, but Merlin saw several other soldiers had moved closer from where they'd stood on the other side of the room.

Diara interrupted before he could take in much else. "They are of no consequence Emrys. I think you're aware we are the only true powers here. But knowing you, you don't care about them anyway, do you? Everyone else are simply bodies for you to use to increase your own power."

What on earth was she talking about? Merlin opened his mouth to ask but again Diara beat him to it.

"I wanted to know why Sir Elyon had been resurrected. Though I haven't had the time to get that information from him yet, it seems he's brought the culprit to me. I suspect it is you who is toying with the natural order."

"Not even I can 'toy' with the spirits Diara." Merlin finally managed to say. "And why do I feel such hatred from you when we've never met."

She scoffed. "Never met? Obviously, I was too insignificant to remember. Just like you will be to history when I've finished my business with you."

Merlin had no idea why the girl was so enraged with him. He was certain they had never met. But he'd seen that adamant determination before. Nothing he could say was going to change her mind. At least not yet. He needed more information about her hatred. But just as he was thinking about how to get that-

"But tell your friend to come out as well. The other warlock."

Figured she would sense Art too.

Come Art. Everyone else stay.

Cautiously, Art came to stand just behind him. Luckily it didn't seem either Diara or Ceador recognised the prince. Or they didn't think Merlin stupid enough to bring the only heir to the Camelot throne on a dangerous rescue mission. In his defence he hadn't planned to.

"A baby warlock" Diara said looking at the prince critically despite their similar age. Art returned her gaze unwaveringly. "Also of no consequence. Ceador, you deal with him, make sure he doesn't intervene while I kill Emrys."

"Gladly."

Before Merlin could think one more thought, he shoved Art to the side and threw himself to the floor, only just missing the stream of fire that ballooned from a nearby torch. Diara smiled as her eyes faded.

He scrambled to his feet lunging further away from Art in case Diara attacked again. Bedivere, Leon and Mel dashed from their hiding place and the knights engaged the six or so soldiers that had started towards Art while Mel hauled the prince to his feet and turned to face Ceador by his side.

That was all Merlin could process before he threw up a hastily prepared wall of air to block the wall of rubble Diara sent his way. As they struck, he felt a force slam into his mind.

He reeled back in surprise and Diara grinned.

It's not as fun when your prey fights back, is it?

It was merely a whisper that managed to slip past his mental shield, but it scraped its claws along the wall he placed around his inner thoughts.

Spirits, her mind was strong.

Diara's brow furrowed when he didn't react more than stepping back and frowning. He wasn't surprised that she was used to a stronger reaction. If his mind wasn't as strong as it was... No... other than him and Maria, he doubted anyone would be able to the withstand the strength of her mind.

Merlin gritted his teeth. He didn't want to hurt this girl, but she was leaving him with little choice other than to fight back. If she tried that attack on anyone else, they wouldn't have a chance of defending themselves. Luckily her anger kept her attention pinned on him. Merlin slipped the ruby ring off of his index finger and it unravelled, growing in his hand. The crystal atop his combat stave blazed when he slammed it into the ground. The earth shook and the stones beneath them cracked, spreading like seeking fingers from the base of the stave. Diara's eyes widened and she hopped to the side to avoid them. Not letting her recover, Merlin swept his stave from the ground and blustering wind swept forth, pushing the witch back, further away from where the others fought.

Diara yelped as she was shoved back into the wall. She grimaced, rotating her shoulder in its socket though Merlin had tried to be gentle. Diara glanced towards the door; her thoughts clear.

"None of your soldiers are coming Diara," Merlin said gently. "Or did you think I was fool enough to come with only a child."

The warlock sensed her cast her awareness out, no doubt finding the same thing he did. Percival, Lancelot, Triston, Isolde and Maria, drawing the rest of her forces out and away.

She bit her lip. Such a childlike gesture that had Merlin pause even as her voice cracked with what sounded a lot like heartbreak. "No. I won't let you win. Not again. Master taught me strength for a reason." She took a deep breath. "Even if it's the last thing I do."

Merlin felt it before he saw it. The witch's magic gathering. With every breath she drank it in, trembling hands clenched into fists at her side. She took every speck of magic from the land adding it to her own no doubt large reserves. More and more she drew in, near drinking the land dry. She became a sun in a sea of moons. Blazing bright.

Merlin didn't know what she was planning, what spell she hoped to cast but, in that moment, it wasn't just her magic that was bright; Diara had started to glow as well. Heat radiated from her pale, sweat slicked skin and Merlin's heart clenched.

Not even a grown adult could handle that much magic, and she was still a child. Diara was on the edge of burn out. And when she opened eyes of pure gold to look at him, it seemed she wanted to take him with her. Him and everyone else within the fortress.

"NO!" he shouted. "You can't use that much magic Diara! Stop! You'll kill yourself! You'll kill everyone!"

"I'm ok with that. As long as I take you with me. And at least I'll see them all again on the other side."

"NO!"

A/N:

Sorry about the cliff hanger again but I super-duper promise to not be late next time!

Thanks

I ;)