Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 5: A Devious Plot And a War

How's everybody doing?
Don't even ask about the picture.
Summary: Nicholas plans on executing Merlin but Mordred and Regina have other plans. During the biggest fight in history, something happens that changes everything.

     When the news reached Powys that Nicholas intended to execute Merlin, Mordred grew angry.
     "Mother we cannot allow this to happen! I want to punish the Swan's in every way possible! Every last one!"
     "And we shall, my son. Do it, Mordred. Do whatever it takes! Make them pay for everything they've ever done! And unleash the gods of war!"
     "With pleasure, mother."
     It was at that moment in time that Powys finally declared war against Paradise.
     When the news reached Nicholas, he accepted the challenge and he gathered his army to meet the Emrys' on the battlefield.
     But while the two feuding kingdoms prepared for battle, neither side had any idea that Karayan was up to no good. He was, a few hours before the war, at his brother's grave, looking down at it.
     "Not to worry, brother. Your death will not be in vain. I shall destroy the one responsible. This war will take care of the rest. And once I marry Rose, both kingdoms will be mine.
     "I'm sorry you had to die but it's for the best. You cannot interfere in my plans. For you see, I must have both kingdoms rather than the one. One simply will not satisfy me.
     "Besides, Rose is mine, she's always been more mine than yours. She will be my queen and we shall rule over a new world together.
     "Fear not, brother, for Merlin Emrys shall not live another day."
     With that, he vanished, melting into the shadows.
                              * * * * *
     Meanwhile, Merlin was having a nightmare.
     He saw a battlefield, the sound of swords clanging together, of magic, of dragons roaring, and wolves growling. He saw nothing but death and devastation around him.
     He saw his mother's dead body and then he heard the sound of evil laughter. He turned and watched helplessly as someone thrust a sword through his brother's stomach.
     (I was imagining it like the scene from the last episode of Merlin where Mordred dies.)
     Nicholas was dead, as was a number of people from Paradise and Powys both. Then he saw the worst sight of all.
     Karayan was standing above everyone, threatening Rose. She would either marry him or suffer the same fate. He could do nothing as Karayan stabbed his wife through the heart.
     A scream burst from his lips and he fell to his knees as Karayan approached him.
     "You both wanted to play star-crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet! Well you got your wish!"
     And Merlin was powerless to do anything as Karayan's blade descended in a swift arch onto his neck.
                             * * * * *
     Merlin woke up panting. That dream felt so real!
     There was only one thing he knew in that moment: he could not let it happen!
     He turned his attention to the cell door in front of him. He'd tried to blast through it before but it was protected by powerful magic. But now, he felt a surge of power rush through him like he'd never felt before.
     His eyes burned a bright gold and the door of the cell flew right into the wall. Merlin sat back for a moment, stunned, but then figured he'd better hurry in case anyone tried to stop him.
     (For a reference, watch the episode, "The Curse of Cornelius Sigan")
     He rushed through the palace, until he finally found the room he was looking for. Her room.
     "Rose!" He shouted through the door.
     "Merlin!" She called back. "How'd you escape?!"
     "That's not important right now! Just listen to me! Karayan and Adrian were up to something the whole time!" He yelled through the door.
     "What do you mean?"
     "It's a long story but the basis of it is they wanted to take control of both our kingdoms by eliminating everyone who was in the way, me, my mother, my brother, and your father. Adrian was going to marry you but apparently Karayan wanted you for himself! He purposefully started trouble to lure me into killing Adrian so he could have you for himself!"
     "So...he planned this along? To be sure he could have both kingdoms?!"
     "Yes but he didn't count on you and I falling in love! Now he's convinced if he can't have you...well neither can I."
    "That means my father and your family are marching themselves right into a trap!"
    "And we have to stop them! Hold on, love. I'll get you out, just step back."
     Once again, Merlin's eyes glowed a bright golden color before the door broke off its hinges and flew across the room, shattering against the wall. He and Rose ran into each other's arms.
    "Come, love, we must hurry!" With that, they raced off.
    The battle had already started by the time Rose and Merlin got there. They caught a glimpse of Karayan moving in to kill Nicholas. Quickly, Merlin reacted. With a quick word in the dragon tongue, Aithusa descended upon the traitor, grabbing him up in his teeth and holding him prisoner so he could not move an inch.
    For a moment, Nicholas, who'd seen Karayan's betrayal a little too late, looked confused then he turned his head to the rise where Merlin and Rose stood, holding hands.
     Without hesitation, Merlin called for Kilgarah who took them to the bottom of the rise, where the battle was. Regina, much like Nicholas, stopped fighting to watch the couple walk over to them and plant themselves between their parents.
    "Stop this fighting!" Both called.
    Nicholas still looked shocked. "You saved my life! Why?" He narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
    "Yes. Why?" Regina repeated.
    Merlin took a deep breath. "Because I love Rose and she loves me and we're married and we're gonna stay that way!"
    Rose raised her left hand in the air so all could see the ring that glinted on her finger.
    Then she jumped in. "Because this was all a trap all along! Karayan wanted us to go to war to tear ourselves apart! He wants both kingdoms! And he staged everything so that he could make that happen! He even tricked Merlin into murdering Adrian because he didn't want to share his kingdom or me with his brother!"
     Everyone took a good look at Karayan, the man who betrayed them.
     "He betrayed you! He is responsible for this, not the feud!"
     "Such pretty words." Karayan chuckled. "But I am not responsible for this feud."
     "Maybe not." Rose said. "But you took advantage of the hatred and distrust and turned it into something worse. This feud was never so violent until you walked into the picture."
     Everyone on the battlefield looked at each other and then began to nod their heads in agreement. Then, they all dropped their weapons, letting them fall to the ground as they watched the couple in earnest.
     Nicholas and Regina were still glaring at one another but otherwise everyone looked pretty resigned. No one wanted a war.
     But just as everyone started to relax, Karayan let out a roar of anger as he escaped Aithusa's clutches and grabbed his sword, heading straight for Merlin.
     There was no time to react, to stop Karayan's blade from hitting its target. Merlin braced himself for the killing blow but it never came.
     Cautiously, he opened his eyes, only to see the sight that was his undoing: Rose had jumped in front of him to protect him and she had fallen prey to Karayan's blade.
     When he saw this, Merlin fell to his knees and, holding Rose in his arms, began to cry right as Karayan raised his sword for another deadly blow.
To be continued....

Ooh cliffhanger! I know, I'm terrible!
Sorry this was supposed to be the last chapter but it ended up being too long so the next chapter will be the last. Ok, bye bye!