fic: the beginning in the end (2/2)
FANDOM: MERLIN
Title: The Beginning in the End (2/2)
Word Count: 10, 458 (this part), 16,688 over all (yikes!)
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Character death, bad writing...
SPOILERS this is my take on what the spoilers for the end of season 3 might mean, so there are definite POTENTIAL SPOILERS within. However, it is all pure speculation on my part, so probably safe to read if you're mostly unspoiled. But you have been warned.
Summary: This has been nagging at me since reading/looking at the spoilers/spoiler pics about the end of season 3 that have been floating around the last few weeks. Whatever happens is sure to be epic, but this is my take on what I think would be an amazing end to the season. Morgana, Morgause and Cenred take over Camelot, leaving Arthur, Merlin, Gwen and the knights to take it back. But first they have to save Uther and Gaius.
Okay so I lied when I said this would be shorter than the first half - clearly it isn't! And now I'm late getting ready for a party but I HAD to get it done! I won't be able to watch Merlin tonight - enjoy it, y'all!!
Thanks for reviews on the first part - let me know what you think!
THE BEGINNING IN THE END (2/2)
Hours later, Arthur sat on one of the fallen logs in the clearing, staring into the flickering flames in front of him. The cart that held the king’s body had been cleared of everything else it held, and the king laid out in state in the middle of it, his sword laid on his torso. Nobody had said much while they’d worked and then eaten, but there was something in the air - an impatience, almost. The knights wanted to be off, wanted to avenge their dead king, please their new one. But mixed in with the impatience was an uneasy acceptance - they couldn’t do anything without a plan.
“Alright, let’s think about this,” said Arthur, breaking the silence. Those who were standing further off came and sat closer, everyone sitting around Arthur. He twisted round to see those behind him and shook his head. “No, let’s sit in a circle,” he said. “I want to be able to see everybody.”
They obeyed silently, and soon Arthur found himself part of a large circle around two of the small fires. It included the cart that held Gaius, which Merlin was still sitting on the back of - Gwen was sitting beside him, having turned her nursing skills to the next patient.
Arthur sighed. “The fact is,” he said without any preamble, “until we know a way to break that enchantment, we have no hope of taking the city. We’re hopelessly outnumbered, they have the stronger ground, and they’re... vicious. Besides, I don’t like the idea of attacking our own people.”
There were some agreeing nods.
“We need Gaius to wake up,” Merlin said. “He’ll be able to tell us what we’re up against.”
“How is he?” Asked Arthur.
“Better, I think,” said Merlin, looking to Gwen for corroboration.
She nodded. “He has some colour now,” she said. “I think he’ll wake up soon.”
“Let’s hope so,” said Arthur. “Now, assuming that we know how to break the enchantment, I imagine we’ll have to be inside the castle to do so. I don’t think Cenred will fall for the same kind of diversion again.”
“We need to spread out the attack - attack the castle on more fronts, so they’re spread thin,” said Sir Percival.
“But even spread thin they outnumber us six to one,” said Sir Dennis.
“We need more people,” said Sir Olsen.
“Perhaps we could conscript?” Said Sir Percival. “We could find people to fight in the outlying towns and villages.”
“That would take a long time,” said Gwaine.
“And they’d need to be trained,” said Sir Leon.
“More importantly, we would never be able to get a large force into the city,” said Arthur. “To have any kind of a chance, we would need to sneak in again.”
“Well then what about the people already in the city?” Said Gwen. Everyone turned to look at her, and she looked back calmly. “The ordinary people of Camelot, who live in the lower town - they are not under the enchantment. They are trapped in their homes, terrified. They could help us.”
“Gwen’s right,” said Elyan.
“Would they fight?” Asked Sir Leon.
Gwen looked across the circle at Arthur. “They would die for their king.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t want to happen,” said Arthur. Gwen frowned and looked like she was about to retort, but he spoke again before she could. “But you’re right. The ordinary people of Camelot have as much right to fight for their lives as we do,” he said.
Gwen smiled, and Arthur couldn’t help but return it, but the moment was interrupted by Merlin scrambling round on the cart. “Gaius?”
Gwen turned round too, and Arthur jumped up and hurried across the circle. He could barely see because it was so dark and Merlin and Gwen were in the way, but Gaius was moving around, and a moment later he heard his voice.
“Merlin... where am I?”
“You’re on a cart in the middle of the North Woods,” Merlin said, his voice breaking. “’Bout time you woke up.”
“I’ll get some water,” said Gwen, and she quickly brushed past Arthur, leaving him with a much better view of Gaius.
“It was Morgause,” he was saying. “I sealed the door but it took everything I had to keep her out.”
Merlin nodded. “Well, you did keep her out,” he said. “And then we came and got you. You’re safe now.”
“Where’s Uther?”
Merlin hesitated, and glanced at Arthur before answering. “We got him out too, but he died a few hours ago,” he said.
Gaius closed his eyes, his face tightening, and when he opened them again he looked straight at Arthur. His face crumpled. “I’m sorry, Sire,” he said. “The poison was designed to kill him slowly - I’d never seen anything like it.”
Arthur swallowed and nodded. “It’s alright, Gaius,” he said. He patted the physician’s foot. “They poisoned him to slow him down, but I’m sure they had something more sinister planned. You ensured he died with dignity.”
Gaius stared at Arthur for a long moment before nodding. “Long live the king,” he said, his eyes slipping closed again.
Gwen appeared next to Arthur, and handed a jug of water to Merlin.
“He needs to rest,” she said quietly to Arthur. “We can’t do anything tonight anyway - let him sleep.”
Arthur nodded.
XXX
“It all happened so fast,” Gaius said. “Not an hour after you left for Imalar, the king fell ill. It was minor at first, but it caused him great pain. I soon realised it was poison, and when I identified the source Uther told me Morgana had brought him the drink. She was sent for, but she was down in the lower town, letting in Morgause and Cenred, and his men.”
It was dawn, and Gaius was a lot better after a night’s sleep. He was sitting propped up against some armour, explaining everything he knew to Arthur, Merlin, Gwen and Leon.
“Uther summoned the court and the guard, but it was too late - Morgause had set her enchantment the moment she’d entered Camelot, and the guard would answer to no one else. They came into the court, and there was no one to stop them. The king was in so much pain, and he admitted to the court that Morgana was his daughter. Morgause declared Morgana Queen.”
“That was when I left,” said Gwen. “Morgana wasn’t paying me any attention, so I ran. I ran home and got Elyan and Gwaine, and we escaped to find you.”
“Well, they called in Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Cenred threatened him, and forced him to crown Morgana while Uther watched. Then Morgause started towards Uther - I don’t know what she was planning, but I had seen enough. I created a magical barrier and helped Uther out of the throne room and to my rooms - we managed to get inside before Morgause got through my barrier. I sealed the rooms, again, using magic.”
He paused, as if waiting for Arthur to comment, but he just nodded.
“They came after us, but could not get through. Morgause, though, is an extremely powerful witch. It took all my strength to keep the door sealed. By the time you found me, I was nearly spent.”
“You did well, Gaius,” said Gwen, smiling at him.
“Gaius, what do you know about the enchantment Morgause is using over the guards?” Arthur asked him.
Gaius sighed. “It is controlled by a magical staff, Sire,” he said. “I saw it when she arrived in the throne room. It stand behind the throne, protected by Cenred’s men.”
“A staff... like that spell she did to raise the dead,” said Arthur. “Well, that staff was broken, which means this one can be too.”
“I am sorry Sire, but I am afraid not,” said Gaius. “I recognised the staff - it is the staff of Brandorin. It is a thing of immense power; it cannot just be destroyed. I have no idea how Morgause got it, but it will hold that enchantment forever.”
Arthur shook his head. “There must be some way,” he said.
Gaius sighed again. “There is only one creature I know of with the power to break the Brandorin staff,” he said. He looked at Merlin, and Merlin must have understood something Arthur didn’t, because his eyes widened.
“Oh you’re kidding,” he said.
“Gaius?” Arthur demanded.
Gaius looked back at him while Merlin covered his eyes with one hand. “The Great Dragon,” he said. “He has the power to break it.”
“The dragon?” Arthur repeated incredulously. “As in the thing that almost destroyed Camelot?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“Perfect,” muttered Arthur, closing his eyes. When he opened them he found Gaius and Merlin having another silent exchange - Gaius was giving Merlin a very significant look while Merlin squirmed uncomfortably.
Finally Merlin groaned. “Arthur I need to talk to you,” he said, turning towards him.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “About what?”
Merlin got onto his knees and shuffled to the back of the cart, where Arthur was sitting. “Please, it’s important,” he said. “Follow me.” And he dropped out of the cart.
Arthur rolled his eyes at Gwen and Gaius. “I’ll be back,” he said, before following his servant out of the cart. Merlin was already walking away, towards the stream a little way away, and Arthur hurried after him.
“Well, what is it?” He asked as he caught him up.
Merlin shook his head and kept walking. A minute later he stopped, on the other side of the stream, out of sight of the camp. He turned to look at Arthur, who was surprised to find he looked extremely nervous.
Arthur didn’t have a good feeling about this.
“I’m a dragonlord.”
Of all the things Arthur was expecting Merlin to say, it certainly wasn’t that.
“What?”
“A dragonlord. I’m a dragonlord.”
“We don’t have time for this, Merlin -”
“Ugh, just listen, will you?” Merlin said, stepping in front of Arthur as he tried to leave. “I never told you this but Balinor, the dragonlord we went to find last year... he was my father.”
“What?”
“Gaius told me, just before we left to find him,” said Merlin. “I confronted him about it, and he never even knew I existed. But the power of the dragonlords passes from father to son - that’s me.”
Arthur just gaped at Merlin as he ploughed on. “It was me that got rid of the dragon last year,” he said. “I told you that you dealt him a mortal blow... but you didn’t. He knocked you out, and I ordered him to leave. A dragon can’t disobey an order from a dragonlord. He left.”
Arthur’s hands clenched into fists at his side, and Merlin had the good sense to take a couple of steps backwards. “Why didn’t you TELL ME?” Arthur yelled at him.
“Because I was frightened to!” Merlin exclaimed. “Balinor was banished, living in exile - he had to leave my mother because it wasn’t safe for us with him there! I think I could be excused for fearing the same fate!”
Arthur had to take several deep breaths before he could speak again, he was so angry. “I suppose you have a plan, since you’re telling me this now?”
Merlin nodded. “I can call the dragon to us. I can order him to break the enchantment for us; he has to do what I tell him to.”
Arthur shook his head. “What makes you think that you can call the dragon to you?”
Merlin looked away briefly before answering. “I’ve done it before,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the dragon since he left Camelot.”
Arthur could barely speak. “When?”
“You remember when Morgana first came back, and I disappeared for a day - I told you I was sick?” Merlin said. “Well, I was suspicious of Morgana, so I followed her out of the castle one night - she was going to meet Morgause. The two of them caught me, and they tied me up and left me for dead in a nest of giant scorpions. I called for the dragon, and he came and saved me.”
Arthur shook his head. He could barely believe what he was hearing.
“He saved me, and then he flew me back to Camelot...”
“Wait, you rode the dragon?”
“Yeah - it’s quite fun, actually...” The grin on Merlin’s face was quickly wiped off, and he cleared his throat. “Anyway, I’ll call him; I’ll order him to break the enchantment for us; he’ll take us back to Camelot. I can do this.”
Arthur shook his head. “Merlin, that dragon hates Camelot. He almost destroyed it last year!”
“He’d been chained underground for twenty years!” Merlin exclaimed. “And he doesn’t hate Camelot. He hates... he hated your father. But he doesn’t hate you.”
Arthur snorted. “There’s a scar on my shoulder that begs to differ.”
Merlin rolled his eyes. “Do you have a better idea?”
Arthur turned away from Merlin, shaking his head again. He couldn’t believe he was even considering this, but as Merlin had pointed out, he had no other ideas.
“Fine - dragonlord.”
XXX
Minutes later, everyone was reassembled in a circle. Gaius was perched on the back of the cart next to Gwen, sitting up by himself, and Merlin stood next to Arthur.
“Alright, here’s the plan,” said Arthur. “We head back to Camelot and you will all sneak into the lower town. Let the people know that I’m back.” He looked at Gwen and nodded. “I have faith in their loyalty to me and to Camelot. Stir up the people and attack the castle - Merlin and I will break the enchantment over the army, so it will only be Cenred’s men to deal with.”
“How are you going to break the enchantment?” Asked Sir Leon.
“We have a way,” said Arthur cagily. “Now, this is important - I don’t want the attack to start until Merlin and I are in position; this is going to be dangerous, and I don’t want the people of Camelot fighting against each other. We’ll be arriving separately to you - when we arrive, start the attack.”
“What’s the signal?” Asked Gwaine.
“Oh, you’ll know when we arrive,” said Merlin.
Arthur glared at him before turning back to the circle. “We’ll break the enchantment and take down Cenred, Morgana and Morgause,” he said. “Get into the castle as quickly as possible and back us up.”
“Yes sire,” said Sir Leon.
“It will take about seven hours to get back to Camelot from here by horse - leave as soon as you’re ready,” Arthur said. “Gwen, set up a camp near the outskirts of the forest, and - ”
“What?” Gwen interrupted. “Oh no - I am going with Sir Leon.”
Arthur closed his eyes. He was not in the mood for this argument. “No, you are not,” he said. “It’s far too dangerous.”
“It was my idea!” Exclaimed Gwen.
“Yes. Your dangerous idea,” Arthur replied.
Gwen’s face hardened. “Camelot is my home too, and I have no intention of sitting around while others fight for it,” she said.
Arthur let out an exasperated sigh. “Someone has to stay with Gaius -”
Gaius frowned at that. “Excuse me, sire, but I also have no intention of staying behind,” he said. “I am getting stronger every minute, and don’t need looking after.”
Gwen gave Arthur a triumphant look and he threw his hands in the air. “Fine!” He exclaimed.
He turned back to Leon. “Enter the city through the sewers again - we weren’t detected the last time,” he said. “Lay low in the town; if Cenred marks you before the attack there will be a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.”
“Yes sire.”
“Right then. Get ready.” The knights all sprang into action, reaching for their armour, stamping out fires and saddling their horses. Arthur watched as Gwen helped Gaius down from the cart and closed his eyes. He should have known better than to try to hold her back, but the thought of her in battle...
Arthur opened his eyes and saw the solution to his problem standing nearby.
“Lancelot.” Lancelot walked over to where Arthur stood and looked at him expectantly. “You were once made a knight of Camelot,” Arthur said. “My father stripped you of the title when... well.” Arthur drew his sword, took a step back and pointed it at Lancelot’s chest. Lancelot’s eyes widened but he didn’t move.
“I think that was a mistake.”
“Sire?”
“Kneel.” Lancelot stood shocked for a moment before stepping back and kneeling down in front of Arthur. There was a sudden silence around them as everyone stopped to watch what was happening, but Arthur didn’t take his eyes off of Lancelot’s face, and kept his sword pointed at his chest.
“Arise, Sir Lancelot,” he said, arcing his sword up to touch both his shoulders. “Knight of Camelot.”
Arthur lowered his sword and smiled at Sir Lancelot as he stood up. He switched his sword to his left hand and held out his right.
Sir Lancelot grasped his arm, his eyes bright with tears. “I know you’ll do me proud, Sir Lancelot,” Arthur said.
“My liege,” he replied.
Arthur smiled again and turned away from him. “Elyan.”
Elyan was grinning at Lancelot, and turned to Arthur still smiling.
“Yes Sire?”
“Kneel,” said Arthur.
The smile was instantly wiped off Elyan’s face as he stared at Arthur, and Arthur heard Gwen gasp behind him. He raised his eyebrows at Elyan, who took the hint and quickly dropped to his knees. Arthur pointed his sword at Elyan’s chest and repeated the process. “ Arise, Sir Elyan,” he said. “Knight of Camelot.”
Sir Elyan stood up, still dumbstruck, and Arthur clapped him on the shoulder, smiling. He turned to Gwaine, who was smiling. “Gwaine, I know you don’t believe in knighthood...” Arthur said with a question in his tone.
Gwaine’s smile widened. “I think there’s something to be said for it, if you’re serving the right kind of king,” he said. Then, without being asked, he knelt before Arthur.
Arthur pointed his sword at his chest. “Arise, Sir Gwaine,” he said. “Knight of Camelot.”
Sir Gwaine stood up and shook Arthur’s hand, and Arthur turned to face his three new knights. The other knights were watching with a mixture of shock and enjoyment on their faces - none more so than Leon and Percival, who were both grinning from ear to ear.
Gwen was crying - she started to walk towards them across the clearing. Arthur turned away from her. “Now, Sir Gwaine, Sir Elyan, Sir Lancelot,” he said. “I have an important task for you.” He paused for dramatic effect. “You are not to let Guinevere out of your sight.”
“Arthur!” Gwen exclaimed, suddenly walking towards them much quicker.
“I mean it,” said Arthur grimly. “If she sustains so much as a scratch...”
Gwen had reached Arthur’s side now, and he could practically feel the rage emanating from her.
“I will guard her with my life, Sire,” said Lancelot.
“So will I,” said Elyan.
“All three of us will,” said Gwaine, serious for once.
Arthur nodded. “Let’s make it an even four - Percival,” he called out.
Sir Percival came to stand with them too, and nodded. “With my life, Sire,” he said.
Arthur nodded again. “Go and get ready,” he said.
“You’ll need cloaks,” Percival was saying as they walked away. “We’ll get the ones from the cart.”
“We can’t wear those!” Elyan protested.
“Knights of Camelot share everything,” Percival said. “They would be honoured to have you wear their cloaks.”
Arthur smiled a little and turned to Gwen, who looked absolutely livid. “Arthur...”
“I don’t care if you’re angry with me,” Arthur said flatly. He reached out and cupped her face in his hands, and leant forward so their foreheads were almost touching. “I love you,” he said softly, before letting her go and walking away towards his horse.
“Come on Merlin,” he called out, not looking back at Gwen until he was on his horse. She was standing where he’d left her, staring at him, and he just smiled at her and looked away. Merlin had also mounted and was just saying goodbye to Gaius. A moment later he was at Arthur’s side, and they turned their horses North and rode away.
XXX
Merlin had pointed out to Arthur that when he called the dragon it would need somewhere to actually land, and the problem was that they had set up camp in a particularly dense area of forest. Arthur knew of a meadow some hours away, and that’s where they rode to - as Merlin has said, they would easily catch up the others once they were flying.
Arthur dreaded the prospect, and very much doubted Merlin’s assertion that it would be ‘fun’.
It took them almost four hours to reach the meadow - the sun was high in the sky by the time they did, and the others were probably halfway to Camelot. They rode out into the meadow and dismounted.
Arthur looked at Merlin. “Well? What now?”
“Now I call him,” said Merlin. “Here I go.”
Arthur folded his arms expectantly. Merlin was hesitating, and Arthur wondered for a moment whether he’d been lying all along. Then, out of nowhere, Merlin threw his head back and started to shout - but it was like no shout Arthur had ever heard. It was like he was roaring - there were words mixed in there somewhere, but they weren’t recognisable to Arthur, and anyway he clamped his hands over his ears to protect them.
Merlin stopped and stood still, breathing deeply, before looking over at Arthur, who was gaping at him. He tried to think of something to say, but he found himself completely lost for words.
A minute later, the beating of wings and the creaking of tree branches announced the arrival of the Great Dragon - it skimmed over the top of the trees and landed in the meadow, directly in front of Merlin. The horses ran for it.
Arthur stared. He had got quite close to the dragon a couple of times when it had been attacking, but it had never really stood still. And it had put on weight in the past year - it was vast.
It shook itself out and folded its wings in, and peered down at them both. When it spoke, its voice seemed to produce its own echo.
“Well, Merlin, I see you have brought someone to meet me,” he said. “Arthur Pendragon... so small for so great a destiny...”
Arthur frowned at Merlin. “What?”
Merlin waved a hand. “He says stuff like that - ignore it,” he said. He turned back to the dragon. “Camelot’s in trouble. Morgana has killed Uther -”
“Uther Pendragon is dead?” The dragon interrupted. Then, suddenly, he tipped his head back and let out an almighty roar - Arthur and Merlin both stumbled back at the sheer force of it. It took a few moments for Arthur to realise that this was the dragon’s version of a victory cry, and his hand tightened on his sword hilt.
Merlin noticed. “Twenty years, remember,” he hissed to him. Arthur scowled but dropped his hand.
The dragon stopped roaring and looked back down at them, and Arthur was sure he was smiling. “And I suppose there is a reason you are not in Camelot, celebrating this joyous day?”
Merlin grabbed Arthur’s arm before he could reach for his sword again. “Morgana killed Uther,” he repeated. “And she’s been crowned Queen of Camelot. Morgause and Cenred are occupying the city, and Morgause has put an enchantment on the guards in the city. She’s using the staff of Brandorin.”
The dragon cocked his head to one side. “What do you expect me to do about it?”
Merlin smirked. “You’re going to take us to Camelot, and break the enchantment.”
The dragon’s smile widened. “I can’t do that, young dragonlord,” he said. “The staff of Brandorin is a powerful, ancient object, forged by human and dragon. It cannot be destroyed by either - only by both.”
Merlin frowned. “Wait - do you mean...”
“I told you when it was forged, that the sword would be extremely powerful,” said the dragon.
Merlin gaped at the dragon, and nodded. Arthur, meanwhile, was completely lost. “What is he talking about?” He demanded. “What sword?”
Merlin turned to Arthur. “It’s a sword that will break the staff,” he said. “But we’ll have to go and get it.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s in a lake, about five hours East of Camelot,” Merlin said. He turned to the dragon. “Take us there.”
The dragon squared its shoulders, but a moment later he lowered his head to the ground, and Merlin started to climb up onto his neck. Arthur hesitated for a moment before following - the dragon’s huge yellow eye followed him as he walked past. He climbed up the shoulder onto the dragon’s neck, sat behind Merlin. It was hardly comfortable, but the huge scales of the dragon were warm - almost hot - to the touch, and at least he had one of the dragon’s neck spikes to hold onto.
The dragon lifted his head - Arthur grabbed hold of the spike for dear life - and without any warning, leapt into the air.
XXX
Gwen, Gaius and the knights got to Camelot in good time, and were happy to find the sewer entrance clear. Now that the cat was out of the bag on Gaius’ magic, so to speak, he felt no compunction in performing a quick spell to check that the coast was clear at the other end - none of the knights felt the need to stop him. The knights had all removed their red cloaks and armour again, but this time they brought them with them - they had all decided that, once the attack started, it would help the people to know where the knights were among them. No one had said it out loud, but they also felt that if they were going to die, they wanted to die dressed as knights of Camelot.
Gwen walked in between her brother and Gwaine - Sir Elyan and Sir Gwaine. Gwen still couldn’t quite believe that Arthur had knighted them and Lancelot. Sir Lancelot was walking in front of them, and Sir Percival was behind. Gwen didn’t fail to notice that they had formed a kind of squad around her, but she didn’t try to protest - she knew better than to think they would disobey Arthur’s orders. She had been so embarrassed when he’d ordered them to keep her safe, but then he’d said what he’d said and... how could she be angry with him? If only she’d been able to send her own handpicked knights with him to keep him safe...
Now that she was apart from Arthur and with nothing to do but walk and think, Gwen couldn’t help but dwell on everything he’d said to her yesterday. He was right, of course, but then so was she - Arthur wasn’t used to being denied anything, but she knew how the real world worked.
But was she wrong to just give up without a fight? She had thought only of protecting herself, her own heart over the last two years.... what had she done to Arthur’s heart in the process? All she knew was that Arthur had just gone off to battle without her, once again not knowing how she really felt about him.
They had reached the end of the sewers, and Lancelot had pried open the iron gate at the end. Gwaine scrambled through, and then Elyan. Lancelot held out a hand to help Gwen up.
It was the first time they’d really come face to face since he’d come back, and as she looked at him now she felt affection, respect - yes, even love - but nothing compared to what she felt for Arthur. It was all she could do not to cry.
She took Lancelot’s hand. “Thank you,” she said.
He nodded. “Milady.”
Gwen smiled. “Lancelot, I told you a long time ago that you don’t have to call me that,” she said.
Lancelot smiled back. “I think you should get used to it.”
XXX
It took them a couple of hours to get to the lake - it would have taken them about ten to get there on a horse. The thing was, you didn’t feel as if you were going that much faster, except for the wind rushing by and the blur of green below. Merlin was right, it was kind of fun, but Arthur wasn’t exactly in the mood to enjoy it, or to let Merlin know that he was right.
They landed next to the lake - it was one Arthur hadn’t been to before, and it looked to be about a mile across.
“Well, where’s this sword?” He asked Merlin.
Merlin gestured to the lake. “In there.”
Arthur glared at him. “Are you joking?” He demanded. “How am I supposed to get it out of there?”
“Um... swim?”
Arthur was just wondering how hard to hit Merlin when the dragon stepped forward and blew a jet of hot air towards the water. Where his breath hit it the water receded, held back by an invisible wall that drove further and further into the lake until it stopped about thirty feet in - there, lying amongst the reeds and sands of the riverbank, was a flash of gold. The pummel of a sword.
The dragon sat back on its haunches, but the invisible wall remained, holding the water back. Where the sword was, the water was almost ten feet high.
Arthur swallowed. “How do I know he won’t let the water crash on top of me?” He asked Merlin.
“I’ll come with you,” Merlin said.
Arthur shook his head. “No - stay here and make sure he keeps the water back.”
With a deep breath, he walked into the lake.
XXX
They were gathered in Gwen’s house again, but this time everyone was coiled like a spring, just waiting for the signal to go. The knights were dressed in their armour and their cloaks again, and Elyan, Gwaine and Lancelot were dressed like them, making Gwen’s heart contract every time she looked at one of them.
They stood around, discussing points of entry to the castle and shortcut alleys through the lower town, and Gwen didn’t notice the knights were asking her opinion on every strategy and deferring to her every decision, but Elyan did. He had a feeling that it would not be just four knights protecting Gwen in the upcoming battle - every single one of them would lay down their life for her at this point. Well; they would die for their king, so it stands to reason they would die for their...
Elyan could hardly bring himself to think it.
As Gwen had predicted, the people of the lower town were only too happy for the chance to fight back against Morgana’s oppression. They knew Gwen and Elyan and believed them when they said that Arthur - King Arthur - was returning to Camelot and would break the spell over the guards. Everyone had seen how dangerous the guards were when the knights had attacked before, and no one wanted to go up against them - besides, the guards were still the people of Camelot; husbands, fathers, brothers, sons.
Gwen stood by the window of her house, gazing out and just waiting. The knights stood behind her - none of them sat - and mostly watched Gwen looking out of the window. It occurred to Elyan that they weren’t so much waiting for Arthur’s signal as they were waiting for Gwen to tell them to go. Which she wouldn’t do until Arthur’s signal, of course.
They had been waiting an hour when Elyan wandered over to join his sister. “Where do you think they went?” He asked her.
Gwen glanced at him. “I don’t know,” she said. “Gaius said something about a creature - that there was only one creature strong enough to break the enchantment.”
Gaius had stayed with a group of townsfolk in an adjoining street - several of the children there had a fever.
“You think they’ve gone to find someone?” Asked Sir Leon.
“Or something,” answered Gwen.
A moment later their unspoken question was answered when the air was split by a deafening and horribly familiar roar.
“What the -” Cried Gwaine, drawing his sword.
“The dragon!” Yelled Leon - he pulled open Gwen’s door and ran into the street, the other knights close on his heels.
It was the indeed the dragon - the dragon that had destroyed half the city the year before.
“But I thought it was dead?” Yelled Sir Percival as the dragon flew directly above them, so low they could see every individual scale on its belly.
Gwen skidded to a halt next to Sir Leon and stared up at the dragon, her eyes wide. As the dragon turned towards the castle she spotted two dark figures on its back, and her hands flew to her mouth.
“Oh my... look! There, on his back!” She yelled.
“Is that the king?” Sir Leon said disbelievingly.
The dragon roared again, wheeling down onto the castle, and Gwen turned to Sir Leon. “I think that’s your signal,” she said firmly.
Sir Leon nodded. “I think you’re right.”
TBC - Part 2b
Title: The Beginning in the End (2/2)
Word Count: 10, 458 (this part), 16,688 over all (yikes!)
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Character death, bad writing...
SPOILERS this is my take on what the spoilers for the end of season 3 might mean, so there are definite POTENTIAL SPOILERS within. However, it is all pure speculation on my part, so probably safe to read if you're mostly unspoiled. But you have been warned.
Summary: This has been nagging at me since reading/looking at the spoilers/spoiler pics about the end of season 3 that have been floating around the last few weeks. Whatever happens is sure to be epic, but this is my take on what I think would be an amazing end to the season. Morgana, Morgause and Cenred take over Camelot, leaving Arthur, Merlin, Gwen and the knights to take it back. But first they have to save Uther and Gaius.
Okay so I lied when I said this would be shorter than the first half - clearly it isn't! And now I'm late getting ready for a party but I HAD to get it done! I won't be able to watch Merlin tonight - enjoy it, y'all!!
Thanks for reviews on the first part - let me know what you think!
THE BEGINNING IN THE END (2/2)
Hours later, Arthur sat on one of the fallen logs in the clearing, staring into the flickering flames in front of him. The cart that held the king’s body had been cleared of everything else it held, and the king laid out in state in the middle of it, his sword laid on his torso. Nobody had said much while they’d worked and then eaten, but there was something in the air - an impatience, almost. The knights wanted to be off, wanted to avenge their dead king, please their new one. But mixed in with the impatience was an uneasy acceptance - they couldn’t do anything without a plan.
“Alright, let’s think about this,” said Arthur, breaking the silence. Those who were standing further off came and sat closer, everyone sitting around Arthur. He twisted round to see those behind him and shook his head. “No, let’s sit in a circle,” he said. “I want to be able to see everybody.”
They obeyed silently, and soon Arthur found himself part of a large circle around two of the small fires. It included the cart that held Gaius, which Merlin was still sitting on the back of - Gwen was sitting beside him, having turned her nursing skills to the next patient.
Arthur sighed. “The fact is,” he said without any preamble, “until we know a way to break that enchantment, we have no hope of taking the city. We’re hopelessly outnumbered, they have the stronger ground, and they’re... vicious. Besides, I don’t like the idea of attacking our own people.”
There were some agreeing nods.
“We need Gaius to wake up,” Merlin said. “He’ll be able to tell us what we’re up against.”
“How is he?” Asked Arthur.
“Better, I think,” said Merlin, looking to Gwen for corroboration.
She nodded. “He has some colour now,” she said. “I think he’ll wake up soon.”
“Let’s hope so,” said Arthur. “Now, assuming that we know how to break the enchantment, I imagine we’ll have to be inside the castle to do so. I don’t think Cenred will fall for the same kind of diversion again.”
“We need to spread out the attack - attack the castle on more fronts, so they’re spread thin,” said Sir Percival.
“But even spread thin they outnumber us six to one,” said Sir Dennis.
“We need more people,” said Sir Olsen.
“Perhaps we could conscript?” Said Sir Percival. “We could find people to fight in the outlying towns and villages.”
“That would take a long time,” said Gwaine.
“And they’d need to be trained,” said Sir Leon.
“More importantly, we would never be able to get a large force into the city,” said Arthur. “To have any kind of a chance, we would need to sneak in again.”
“Well then what about the people already in the city?” Said Gwen. Everyone turned to look at her, and she looked back calmly. “The ordinary people of Camelot, who live in the lower town - they are not under the enchantment. They are trapped in their homes, terrified. They could help us.”
“Gwen’s right,” said Elyan.
“Would they fight?” Asked Sir Leon.
Gwen looked across the circle at Arthur. “They would die for their king.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t want to happen,” said Arthur. Gwen frowned and looked like she was about to retort, but he spoke again before she could. “But you’re right. The ordinary people of Camelot have as much right to fight for their lives as we do,” he said.
Gwen smiled, and Arthur couldn’t help but return it, but the moment was interrupted by Merlin scrambling round on the cart. “Gaius?”
Gwen turned round too, and Arthur jumped up and hurried across the circle. He could barely see because it was so dark and Merlin and Gwen were in the way, but Gaius was moving around, and a moment later he heard his voice.
“Merlin... where am I?”
“You’re on a cart in the middle of the North Woods,” Merlin said, his voice breaking. “’Bout time you woke up.”
“I’ll get some water,” said Gwen, and she quickly brushed past Arthur, leaving him with a much better view of Gaius.
“It was Morgause,” he was saying. “I sealed the door but it took everything I had to keep her out.”
Merlin nodded. “Well, you did keep her out,” he said. “And then we came and got you. You’re safe now.”
“Where’s Uther?”
Merlin hesitated, and glanced at Arthur before answering. “We got him out too, but he died a few hours ago,” he said.
Gaius closed his eyes, his face tightening, and when he opened them again he looked straight at Arthur. His face crumpled. “I’m sorry, Sire,” he said. “The poison was designed to kill him slowly - I’d never seen anything like it.”
Arthur swallowed and nodded. “It’s alright, Gaius,” he said. He patted the physician’s foot. “They poisoned him to slow him down, but I’m sure they had something more sinister planned. You ensured he died with dignity.”
Gaius stared at Arthur for a long moment before nodding. “Long live the king,” he said, his eyes slipping closed again.
Gwen appeared next to Arthur, and handed a jug of water to Merlin.
“He needs to rest,” she said quietly to Arthur. “We can’t do anything tonight anyway - let him sleep.”
Arthur nodded.
XXX
“It all happened so fast,” Gaius said. “Not an hour after you left for Imalar, the king fell ill. It was minor at first, but it caused him great pain. I soon realised it was poison, and when I identified the source Uther told me Morgana had brought him the drink. She was sent for, but she was down in the lower town, letting in Morgause and Cenred, and his men.”
It was dawn, and Gaius was a lot better after a night’s sleep. He was sitting propped up against some armour, explaining everything he knew to Arthur, Merlin, Gwen and Leon.
“Uther summoned the court and the guard, but it was too late - Morgause had set her enchantment the moment she’d entered Camelot, and the guard would answer to no one else. They came into the court, and there was no one to stop them. The king was in so much pain, and he admitted to the court that Morgana was his daughter. Morgause declared Morgana Queen.”
“That was when I left,” said Gwen. “Morgana wasn’t paying me any attention, so I ran. I ran home and got Elyan and Gwaine, and we escaped to find you.”
“Well, they called in Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Cenred threatened him, and forced him to crown Morgana while Uther watched. Then Morgause started towards Uther - I don’t know what she was planning, but I had seen enough. I created a magical barrier and helped Uther out of the throne room and to my rooms - we managed to get inside before Morgause got through my barrier. I sealed the rooms, again, using magic.”
He paused, as if waiting for Arthur to comment, but he just nodded.
“They came after us, but could not get through. Morgause, though, is an extremely powerful witch. It took all my strength to keep the door sealed. By the time you found me, I was nearly spent.”
“You did well, Gaius,” said Gwen, smiling at him.
“Gaius, what do you know about the enchantment Morgause is using over the guards?” Arthur asked him.
Gaius sighed. “It is controlled by a magical staff, Sire,” he said. “I saw it when she arrived in the throne room. It stand behind the throne, protected by Cenred’s men.”
“A staff... like that spell she did to raise the dead,” said Arthur. “Well, that staff was broken, which means this one can be too.”
“I am sorry Sire, but I am afraid not,” said Gaius. “I recognised the staff - it is the staff of Brandorin. It is a thing of immense power; it cannot just be destroyed. I have no idea how Morgause got it, but it will hold that enchantment forever.”
Arthur shook his head. “There must be some way,” he said.
Gaius sighed again. “There is only one creature I know of with the power to break the Brandorin staff,” he said. He looked at Merlin, and Merlin must have understood something Arthur didn’t, because his eyes widened.
“Oh you’re kidding,” he said.
“Gaius?” Arthur demanded.
Gaius looked back at him while Merlin covered his eyes with one hand. “The Great Dragon,” he said. “He has the power to break it.”
“The dragon?” Arthur repeated incredulously. “As in the thing that almost destroyed Camelot?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“Perfect,” muttered Arthur, closing his eyes. When he opened them he found Gaius and Merlin having another silent exchange - Gaius was giving Merlin a very significant look while Merlin squirmed uncomfortably.
Finally Merlin groaned. “Arthur I need to talk to you,” he said, turning towards him.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “About what?”
Merlin got onto his knees and shuffled to the back of the cart, where Arthur was sitting. “Please, it’s important,” he said. “Follow me.” And he dropped out of the cart.
Arthur rolled his eyes at Gwen and Gaius. “I’ll be back,” he said, before following his servant out of the cart. Merlin was already walking away, towards the stream a little way away, and Arthur hurried after him.
“Well, what is it?” He asked as he caught him up.
Merlin shook his head and kept walking. A minute later he stopped, on the other side of the stream, out of sight of the camp. He turned to look at Arthur, who was surprised to find he looked extremely nervous.
Arthur didn’t have a good feeling about this.
“I’m a dragonlord.”
Of all the things Arthur was expecting Merlin to say, it certainly wasn’t that.
“What?”
“A dragonlord. I’m a dragonlord.”
“We don’t have time for this, Merlin -”
“Ugh, just listen, will you?” Merlin said, stepping in front of Arthur as he tried to leave. “I never told you this but Balinor, the dragonlord we went to find last year... he was my father.”
“What?”
“Gaius told me, just before we left to find him,” said Merlin. “I confronted him about it, and he never even knew I existed. But the power of the dragonlords passes from father to son - that’s me.”
Arthur just gaped at Merlin as he ploughed on. “It was me that got rid of the dragon last year,” he said. “I told you that you dealt him a mortal blow... but you didn’t. He knocked you out, and I ordered him to leave. A dragon can’t disobey an order from a dragonlord. He left.”
Arthur’s hands clenched into fists at his side, and Merlin had the good sense to take a couple of steps backwards. “Why didn’t you TELL ME?” Arthur yelled at him.
“Because I was frightened to!” Merlin exclaimed. “Balinor was banished, living in exile - he had to leave my mother because it wasn’t safe for us with him there! I think I could be excused for fearing the same fate!”
Arthur had to take several deep breaths before he could speak again, he was so angry. “I suppose you have a plan, since you’re telling me this now?”
Merlin nodded. “I can call the dragon to us. I can order him to break the enchantment for us; he has to do what I tell him to.”
Arthur shook his head. “What makes you think that you can call the dragon to you?”
Merlin looked away briefly before answering. “I’ve done it before,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the dragon since he left Camelot.”
Arthur could barely speak. “When?”
“You remember when Morgana first came back, and I disappeared for a day - I told you I was sick?” Merlin said. “Well, I was suspicious of Morgana, so I followed her out of the castle one night - she was going to meet Morgause. The two of them caught me, and they tied me up and left me for dead in a nest of giant scorpions. I called for the dragon, and he came and saved me.”
Arthur shook his head. He could barely believe what he was hearing.
“He saved me, and then he flew me back to Camelot...”
“Wait, you rode the dragon?”
“Yeah - it’s quite fun, actually...” The grin on Merlin’s face was quickly wiped off, and he cleared his throat. “Anyway, I’ll call him; I’ll order him to break the enchantment for us; he’ll take us back to Camelot. I can do this.”
Arthur shook his head. “Merlin, that dragon hates Camelot. He almost destroyed it last year!”
“He’d been chained underground for twenty years!” Merlin exclaimed. “And he doesn’t hate Camelot. He hates... he hated your father. But he doesn’t hate you.”
Arthur snorted. “There’s a scar on my shoulder that begs to differ.”
Merlin rolled his eyes. “Do you have a better idea?”
Arthur turned away from Merlin, shaking his head again. He couldn’t believe he was even considering this, but as Merlin had pointed out, he had no other ideas.
“Fine - dragonlord.”
XXX
Minutes later, everyone was reassembled in a circle. Gaius was perched on the back of the cart next to Gwen, sitting up by himself, and Merlin stood next to Arthur.
“Alright, here’s the plan,” said Arthur. “We head back to Camelot and you will all sneak into the lower town. Let the people know that I’m back.” He looked at Gwen and nodded. “I have faith in their loyalty to me and to Camelot. Stir up the people and attack the castle - Merlin and I will break the enchantment over the army, so it will only be Cenred’s men to deal with.”
“How are you going to break the enchantment?” Asked Sir Leon.
“We have a way,” said Arthur cagily. “Now, this is important - I don’t want the attack to start until Merlin and I are in position; this is going to be dangerous, and I don’t want the people of Camelot fighting against each other. We’ll be arriving separately to you - when we arrive, start the attack.”
“What’s the signal?” Asked Gwaine.
“Oh, you’ll know when we arrive,” said Merlin.
Arthur glared at him before turning back to the circle. “We’ll break the enchantment and take down Cenred, Morgana and Morgause,” he said. “Get into the castle as quickly as possible and back us up.”
“Yes sire,” said Sir Leon.
“It will take about seven hours to get back to Camelot from here by horse - leave as soon as you’re ready,” Arthur said. “Gwen, set up a camp near the outskirts of the forest, and - ”
“What?” Gwen interrupted. “Oh no - I am going with Sir Leon.”
Arthur closed his eyes. He was not in the mood for this argument. “No, you are not,” he said. “It’s far too dangerous.”
“It was my idea!” Exclaimed Gwen.
“Yes. Your dangerous idea,” Arthur replied.
Gwen’s face hardened. “Camelot is my home too, and I have no intention of sitting around while others fight for it,” she said.
Arthur let out an exasperated sigh. “Someone has to stay with Gaius -”
Gaius frowned at that. “Excuse me, sire, but I also have no intention of staying behind,” he said. “I am getting stronger every minute, and don’t need looking after.”
Gwen gave Arthur a triumphant look and he threw his hands in the air. “Fine!” He exclaimed.
He turned back to Leon. “Enter the city through the sewers again - we weren’t detected the last time,” he said. “Lay low in the town; if Cenred marks you before the attack there will be a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.”
“Yes sire.”
“Right then. Get ready.” The knights all sprang into action, reaching for their armour, stamping out fires and saddling their horses. Arthur watched as Gwen helped Gaius down from the cart and closed his eyes. He should have known better than to try to hold her back, but the thought of her in battle...
Arthur opened his eyes and saw the solution to his problem standing nearby.
“Lancelot.” Lancelot walked over to where Arthur stood and looked at him expectantly. “You were once made a knight of Camelot,” Arthur said. “My father stripped you of the title when... well.” Arthur drew his sword, took a step back and pointed it at Lancelot’s chest. Lancelot’s eyes widened but he didn’t move.
“I think that was a mistake.”
“Sire?”
“Kneel.” Lancelot stood shocked for a moment before stepping back and kneeling down in front of Arthur. There was a sudden silence around them as everyone stopped to watch what was happening, but Arthur didn’t take his eyes off of Lancelot’s face, and kept his sword pointed at his chest.
“Arise, Sir Lancelot,” he said, arcing his sword up to touch both his shoulders. “Knight of Camelot.”
Arthur lowered his sword and smiled at Sir Lancelot as he stood up. He switched his sword to his left hand and held out his right.
Sir Lancelot grasped his arm, his eyes bright with tears. “I know you’ll do me proud, Sir Lancelot,” Arthur said.
“My liege,” he replied.
Arthur smiled again and turned away from him. “Elyan.”
Elyan was grinning at Lancelot, and turned to Arthur still smiling.
“Yes Sire?”
“Kneel,” said Arthur.
The smile was instantly wiped off Elyan’s face as he stared at Arthur, and Arthur heard Gwen gasp behind him. He raised his eyebrows at Elyan, who took the hint and quickly dropped to his knees. Arthur pointed his sword at Elyan’s chest and repeated the process. “ Arise, Sir Elyan,” he said. “Knight of Camelot.”
Sir Elyan stood up, still dumbstruck, and Arthur clapped him on the shoulder, smiling. He turned to Gwaine, who was smiling. “Gwaine, I know you don’t believe in knighthood...” Arthur said with a question in his tone.
Gwaine’s smile widened. “I think there’s something to be said for it, if you’re serving the right kind of king,” he said. Then, without being asked, he knelt before Arthur.
Arthur pointed his sword at his chest. “Arise, Sir Gwaine,” he said. “Knight of Camelot.”
Sir Gwaine stood up and shook Arthur’s hand, and Arthur turned to face his three new knights. The other knights were watching with a mixture of shock and enjoyment on their faces - none more so than Leon and Percival, who were both grinning from ear to ear.
Gwen was crying - she started to walk towards them across the clearing. Arthur turned away from her. “Now, Sir Gwaine, Sir Elyan, Sir Lancelot,” he said. “I have an important task for you.” He paused for dramatic effect. “You are not to let Guinevere out of your sight.”
“Arthur!” Gwen exclaimed, suddenly walking towards them much quicker.
“I mean it,” said Arthur grimly. “If she sustains so much as a scratch...”
Gwen had reached Arthur’s side now, and he could practically feel the rage emanating from her.
“I will guard her with my life, Sire,” said Lancelot.
“So will I,” said Elyan.
“All three of us will,” said Gwaine, serious for once.
Arthur nodded. “Let’s make it an even four - Percival,” he called out.
Sir Percival came to stand with them too, and nodded. “With my life, Sire,” he said.
Arthur nodded again. “Go and get ready,” he said.
“You’ll need cloaks,” Percival was saying as they walked away. “We’ll get the ones from the cart.”
“We can’t wear those!” Elyan protested.
“Knights of Camelot share everything,” Percival said. “They would be honoured to have you wear their cloaks.”
Arthur smiled a little and turned to Gwen, who looked absolutely livid. “Arthur...”
“I don’t care if you’re angry with me,” Arthur said flatly. He reached out and cupped her face in his hands, and leant forward so their foreheads were almost touching. “I love you,” he said softly, before letting her go and walking away towards his horse.
“Come on Merlin,” he called out, not looking back at Gwen until he was on his horse. She was standing where he’d left her, staring at him, and he just smiled at her and looked away. Merlin had also mounted and was just saying goodbye to Gaius. A moment later he was at Arthur’s side, and they turned their horses North and rode away.
XXX
Merlin had pointed out to Arthur that when he called the dragon it would need somewhere to actually land, and the problem was that they had set up camp in a particularly dense area of forest. Arthur knew of a meadow some hours away, and that’s where they rode to - as Merlin has said, they would easily catch up the others once they were flying.
Arthur dreaded the prospect, and very much doubted Merlin’s assertion that it would be ‘fun’.
It took them almost four hours to reach the meadow - the sun was high in the sky by the time they did, and the others were probably halfway to Camelot. They rode out into the meadow and dismounted.
Arthur looked at Merlin. “Well? What now?”
“Now I call him,” said Merlin. “Here I go.”
Arthur folded his arms expectantly. Merlin was hesitating, and Arthur wondered for a moment whether he’d been lying all along. Then, out of nowhere, Merlin threw his head back and started to shout - but it was like no shout Arthur had ever heard. It was like he was roaring - there were words mixed in there somewhere, but they weren’t recognisable to Arthur, and anyway he clamped his hands over his ears to protect them.
Merlin stopped and stood still, breathing deeply, before looking over at Arthur, who was gaping at him. He tried to think of something to say, but he found himself completely lost for words.
A minute later, the beating of wings and the creaking of tree branches announced the arrival of the Great Dragon - it skimmed over the top of the trees and landed in the meadow, directly in front of Merlin. The horses ran for it.
Arthur stared. He had got quite close to the dragon a couple of times when it had been attacking, but it had never really stood still. And it had put on weight in the past year - it was vast.
It shook itself out and folded its wings in, and peered down at them both. When it spoke, its voice seemed to produce its own echo.
“Well, Merlin, I see you have brought someone to meet me,” he said. “Arthur Pendragon... so small for so great a destiny...”
Arthur frowned at Merlin. “What?”
Merlin waved a hand. “He says stuff like that - ignore it,” he said. He turned back to the dragon. “Camelot’s in trouble. Morgana has killed Uther -”
“Uther Pendragon is dead?” The dragon interrupted. Then, suddenly, he tipped his head back and let out an almighty roar - Arthur and Merlin both stumbled back at the sheer force of it. It took a few moments for Arthur to realise that this was the dragon’s version of a victory cry, and his hand tightened on his sword hilt.
Merlin noticed. “Twenty years, remember,” he hissed to him. Arthur scowled but dropped his hand.
The dragon stopped roaring and looked back down at them, and Arthur was sure he was smiling. “And I suppose there is a reason you are not in Camelot, celebrating this joyous day?”
Merlin grabbed Arthur’s arm before he could reach for his sword again. “Morgana killed Uther,” he repeated. “And she’s been crowned Queen of Camelot. Morgause and Cenred are occupying the city, and Morgause has put an enchantment on the guards in the city. She’s using the staff of Brandorin.”
The dragon cocked his head to one side. “What do you expect me to do about it?”
Merlin smirked. “You’re going to take us to Camelot, and break the enchantment.”
The dragon’s smile widened. “I can’t do that, young dragonlord,” he said. “The staff of Brandorin is a powerful, ancient object, forged by human and dragon. It cannot be destroyed by either - only by both.”
Merlin frowned. “Wait - do you mean...”
“I told you when it was forged, that the sword would be extremely powerful,” said the dragon.
Merlin gaped at the dragon, and nodded. Arthur, meanwhile, was completely lost. “What is he talking about?” He demanded. “What sword?”
Merlin turned to Arthur. “It’s a sword that will break the staff,” he said. “But we’ll have to go and get it.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s in a lake, about five hours East of Camelot,” Merlin said. He turned to the dragon. “Take us there.”
The dragon squared its shoulders, but a moment later he lowered his head to the ground, and Merlin started to climb up onto his neck. Arthur hesitated for a moment before following - the dragon’s huge yellow eye followed him as he walked past. He climbed up the shoulder onto the dragon’s neck, sat behind Merlin. It was hardly comfortable, but the huge scales of the dragon were warm - almost hot - to the touch, and at least he had one of the dragon’s neck spikes to hold onto.
The dragon lifted his head - Arthur grabbed hold of the spike for dear life - and without any warning, leapt into the air.
XXX
Gwen, Gaius and the knights got to Camelot in good time, and were happy to find the sewer entrance clear. Now that the cat was out of the bag on Gaius’ magic, so to speak, he felt no compunction in performing a quick spell to check that the coast was clear at the other end - none of the knights felt the need to stop him. The knights had all removed their red cloaks and armour again, but this time they brought them with them - they had all decided that, once the attack started, it would help the people to know where the knights were among them. No one had said it out loud, but they also felt that if they were going to die, they wanted to die dressed as knights of Camelot.
Gwen walked in between her brother and Gwaine - Sir Elyan and Sir Gwaine. Gwen still couldn’t quite believe that Arthur had knighted them and Lancelot. Sir Lancelot was walking in front of them, and Sir Percival was behind. Gwen didn’t fail to notice that they had formed a kind of squad around her, but she didn’t try to protest - she knew better than to think they would disobey Arthur’s orders. She had been so embarrassed when he’d ordered them to keep her safe, but then he’d said what he’d said and... how could she be angry with him? If only she’d been able to send her own handpicked knights with him to keep him safe...
Now that she was apart from Arthur and with nothing to do but walk and think, Gwen couldn’t help but dwell on everything he’d said to her yesterday. He was right, of course, but then so was she - Arthur wasn’t used to being denied anything, but she knew how the real world worked.
But was she wrong to just give up without a fight? She had thought only of protecting herself, her own heart over the last two years.... what had she done to Arthur’s heart in the process? All she knew was that Arthur had just gone off to battle without her, once again not knowing how she really felt about him.
They had reached the end of the sewers, and Lancelot had pried open the iron gate at the end. Gwaine scrambled through, and then Elyan. Lancelot held out a hand to help Gwen up.
It was the first time they’d really come face to face since he’d come back, and as she looked at him now she felt affection, respect - yes, even love - but nothing compared to what she felt for Arthur. It was all she could do not to cry.
She took Lancelot’s hand. “Thank you,” she said.
He nodded. “Milady.”
Gwen smiled. “Lancelot, I told you a long time ago that you don’t have to call me that,” she said.
Lancelot smiled back. “I think you should get used to it.”
XXX
It took them a couple of hours to get to the lake - it would have taken them about ten to get there on a horse. The thing was, you didn’t feel as if you were going that much faster, except for the wind rushing by and the blur of green below. Merlin was right, it was kind of fun, but Arthur wasn’t exactly in the mood to enjoy it, or to let Merlin know that he was right.
They landed next to the lake - it was one Arthur hadn’t been to before, and it looked to be about a mile across.
“Well, where’s this sword?” He asked Merlin.
Merlin gestured to the lake. “In there.”
Arthur glared at him. “Are you joking?” He demanded. “How am I supposed to get it out of there?”
“Um... swim?”
Arthur was just wondering how hard to hit Merlin when the dragon stepped forward and blew a jet of hot air towards the water. Where his breath hit it the water receded, held back by an invisible wall that drove further and further into the lake until it stopped about thirty feet in - there, lying amongst the reeds and sands of the riverbank, was a flash of gold. The pummel of a sword.
The dragon sat back on its haunches, but the invisible wall remained, holding the water back. Where the sword was, the water was almost ten feet high.
Arthur swallowed. “How do I know he won’t let the water crash on top of me?” He asked Merlin.
“I’ll come with you,” Merlin said.
Arthur shook his head. “No - stay here and make sure he keeps the water back.”
With a deep breath, he walked into the lake.
XXX
They were gathered in Gwen’s house again, but this time everyone was coiled like a spring, just waiting for the signal to go. The knights were dressed in their armour and their cloaks again, and Elyan, Gwaine and Lancelot were dressed like them, making Gwen’s heart contract every time she looked at one of them.
They stood around, discussing points of entry to the castle and shortcut alleys through the lower town, and Gwen didn’t notice the knights were asking her opinion on every strategy and deferring to her every decision, but Elyan did. He had a feeling that it would not be just four knights protecting Gwen in the upcoming battle - every single one of them would lay down their life for her at this point. Well; they would die for their king, so it stands to reason they would die for their...
Elyan could hardly bring himself to think it.
As Gwen had predicted, the people of the lower town were only too happy for the chance to fight back against Morgana’s oppression. They knew Gwen and Elyan and believed them when they said that Arthur - King Arthur - was returning to Camelot and would break the spell over the guards. Everyone had seen how dangerous the guards were when the knights had attacked before, and no one wanted to go up against them - besides, the guards were still the people of Camelot; husbands, fathers, brothers, sons.
Gwen stood by the window of her house, gazing out and just waiting. The knights stood behind her - none of them sat - and mostly watched Gwen looking out of the window. It occurred to Elyan that they weren’t so much waiting for Arthur’s signal as they were waiting for Gwen to tell them to go. Which she wouldn’t do until Arthur’s signal, of course.
They had been waiting an hour when Elyan wandered over to join his sister. “Where do you think they went?” He asked her.
Gwen glanced at him. “I don’t know,” she said. “Gaius said something about a creature - that there was only one creature strong enough to break the enchantment.”
Gaius had stayed with a group of townsfolk in an adjoining street - several of the children there had a fever.
“You think they’ve gone to find someone?” Asked Sir Leon.
“Or something,” answered Gwen.
A moment later their unspoken question was answered when the air was split by a deafening and horribly familiar roar.
“What the -” Cried Gwaine, drawing his sword.
“The dragon!” Yelled Leon - he pulled open Gwen’s door and ran into the street, the other knights close on his heels.
It was the indeed the dragon - the dragon that had destroyed half the city the year before.
“But I thought it was dead?” Yelled Sir Percival as the dragon flew directly above them, so low they could see every individual scale on its belly.
Gwen skidded to a halt next to Sir Leon and stared up at the dragon, her eyes wide. As the dragon turned towards the castle she spotted two dark figures on its back, and her hands flew to her mouth.
“Oh my... look! There, on his back!” She yelled.
“Is that the king?” Sir Leon said disbelievingly.
The dragon roared again, wheeling down onto the castle, and Gwen turned to Sir Leon. “I think that’s your signal,” she said firmly.
Sir Leon nodded. “I think you’re right.”
TBC - Part 2b