His Majesty and His Knights

Battle for the Kingdom: Part 2

Merlin led Arthur and Leon into the castle. Gwaine had already been through to let the Myrddian knights and guards know that Merlin was coming, so he did not worry about sneaking through. Some of the guards even gave Merlin a nod of respect. They were headed straight for Morgause herself. 

On the way, they saw Morgana, who was headed in their direction. "Merlin! Arthur! Leon!"

"Morgana!" The three men said in sync. 

"I'm coming with you," she informed them.

"What?! Morgana-" Arthur began, but was interrupted by his sister.

"I can help. I'll stay hidden just in case. Please? She's still so powerful."

Merlin thought about it. "Okay, Morgana. Just stay hidden."

Morgana nodded. "Morgause is in her room. Come, I'll show  you where." Morgana led them to a set of golden double doors with two guards posted in front. Morgana moved to the back of the group to make sure that she was not seen by Morgause.

"Has Sir Gwaine come by yet?" Merlin asked them.

"Yes, Sire," the guard on the right said.

"Good. You may leave your post." The two guards bowed and left. Merlin turned to his friends. "Ready?"

"Let's do this," Arthur said.

Merlin used magic to open the door, but that was only for a dramatic entrance. Morgause stood up at the sound from where she was sitting and turned to face them. When she saw who it was, she tensed, getting ready to fire magic at them at any moment. "What are you doing here?" She asked. The golden crown on her head glinted in the sunlight, mocking Merlin.

Merlin remained outwardly relaxed, although Arthur and Leon both had a hand on their swords. "I'm here to take back what's mine," he told her.

"And what would that be?" Morgause asked.

"Myrddia."

Her eyes widened. "The missing prince," she realized. Then she sneered. "The coward who ran away from his kingdom."

If looks could kill, Morgause would be six feet under. "I was six."

"No matter. Myrddia is mine now. Why don't you run back to Camelot and I won't kill you this time." Merlin did not move. "Fine. Have it your way." 

Without warning, Merlin was thrown against the wall. In response, he threw Morgause against the opposite wall. They both quickly stood up. Blasts of magic began flying everywhere, from both sides. Arthur and Leon took refuge behind a table.

During the commotion, Morgana snuck into the room and hid behind the changing screen. Poking her head out, she used her magic to push Morgause slightly, causing her to lose her balance, or setting Morgause's deep red dress on fire.

Morgause growled in frustration and thrust her hand out. The window behind her broke and hundreds of shards of glass came flying at Merlin. Merlin threw up a barrier to protect himself, but he was not quick enough, because a few small shards cut his face and a larger one embedded itself in his left shoulder. Merlin grunted in pain, but he did not pull it out for risk of bleeding out.

The witch and the warlock resumed throwing spells at each other. This continued for quite a while, neither quite able to outmatch the other. Both were exhausted, but did not give up.

During this time, Gwaine entered the room and joined Arthur and Leon behind the table. "We have to help," Gwaine hissed. 

"What can we do?" Arthur asked.

Gwaine scanned the room and spotted Morgana behind the changing screen. She would murmur something and then hide behind the screen. The bottom of Morgause's dress would catch on fire (it used to trail behind her but now it did not even touch the floor) or she would stumble on air, but she must have assumed it was Merlin's doing because she never looked behind her. This gave Gwaine an idea. 

Luckily, because of all the spells being thrown everywhere, Morgause's chambers were a mess, which allowed for many hiding spots. Gwaine made his way over to Morgana, careful not to get caught.  He looked over to Merlin. The poor boy looked about ready to collapse, but there was fire in his eyes. He would not back down.

"Hey," Gwaine whispered, once he made it to the changing screen.

"Gwaine!" Morgana whispered back. "What are you doing over here?"

"You'll see." Gwaine crept out from behind the screen and drew his sword. Once he reached Morgause, he stabbed her in the middle. Before pulling it out, he twisted the blade to cause more pain. Morgause gasped and fell to the floor so that she was kneeling. 

Merlin limped across the room to stand in front of Morgause. "It's over," he told her.

"No," she said, panting. "No... No mortal blade can kill me. I am a high priestess of the old religion."

"Perhaps not, but you are not immortal. Avada Kedavra." (A/N: Sorry, I couldn't help it)

Morgause's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she backwards, her head hitting the floor. Merlin closed her eye lids. 

Arthur stood up, Leon following him. "Is it over?"

"Yeah," Merlin said. "It's over."

Morgana came out from her hiding spot. She looked at her friend with concern, not even sparing a glance at her half-sister. "Merlin, are you- Merlin!"

Merlin collapsed before Morgana could even finish her sentence. Gwaine caught him before his head hit the floor and lifted him up bridal style. Morgana put a hand on his forehead. "He's burning up!"  Morgana exclaimed. 

Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn!!