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Challenges of the Heart	By : CrazyEyesChick Category: M through R > Merlin (BBC) > Merlin (BBC) Views: 8731 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: i do not make money or any profit from this. merlin and its charcaters are property of bbc. this is for fun only.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Chapter 21: Farewell

Previously on Where the heart Lies...

Instantly, those three little sincere words had worked their magic and bright golden eyes flicked open, letting a surge of powerful raw magic out, knocking everything in its path. The knights were sent flying a couple of feet back, while Morgana hit a nearby rock, cutting her forehead upon impact.

Opening his eyes, Arthur could describe exactly what he was feeling right now, but it sure was a mixture of different things. Relief, Shock, betrayal, happiness and hurt all filtered through at the standing imposing figure standing behind where Morgana had been minutes before.

The illusion shattered; the fog dissipating. Where once hanged a limp figure, now stood with pride and anger the powerful sorcerer Emrys, protector of the Once and Future King.

***************

The sky roared, dark clouds circling the area where Merlin stood tall, sparks of electricity crackling around him. His eyes blazing a molten gold, promising danger to whoever challenged him.

Currently that person was now the Witch Morgana who laid a few meters away from Arthur. Luckily, Arthur’s plea had reached the bottom of his soul at the right time. Merlin would have lost an important part of himself if anything would have happened to his King, when he could have prevented it.

He marched forward, the sheer strength of his magic left marked imprints of his bared feet burning the grass under them. His focus should have been on Morgana, but all that mattered was Arthur’s now very shocked form.

Although Merlin’s expression portrayed a focus mind, his heart panged in pain upon gazing at his King’s crumbled form. Yet he kept moving towards his love with faltering confidence.

His King just laid there, mouth agape. His big blue eyes shining with a gleam of relief, yet betrayal excerpted on the fragile surface. Tears fell freely on the bruised cheeks, mixing with the already dry blood that coated the hurt man’s reddened skin.

The warlock didn’t know what to expect from the blond man, but now was not the time to worry about his situation. He had to protect his friends from the wrath of Morgana. His magic finally receded once he crouched down at Arthur’s level. The knights quickly had gotten back on their feet and joined them, worried wriiten in their faces.

For the first time, Merlin could see emotions running through his friend’s eyes. He couldn’t help the upward curve of his chapped lips at seeing his King speechless.

‘My Lord! Are you alright’ asked Sir Leon, assessing the injuries his King sported. Arthur, as if lost into a fog, only nodded vacantly, his eyes never leaving the man he had missed so much and learned to love.

‘Arthur...’ softly said Merlin, trying not to sound broken.

The hoarse voice entered Arthur’s ears like music. Too relieved to think about anything else. Merlin was alive...Merlin was next to him, breathing and alive. He wanted to embrace the other boy in a tight hug and never let go, afraid he would disappear again.

Before he could say anything, a pain filled screech filled the air. Wind blew in every direction, leaves turning temporarily into small knives cutting everything alive in its path. Merlin raised his hand with simplicity, blocking the excess of wind around the area, protecting his friends who were baffled at the ease in which he had conjured the magical barrier.

‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGGGGGGGGGGG’ yelled Morgana at the top of her lungs in anger. Her hair was all tangled and muddy, matted with blood. Her forehead was nicked where she had hit the boulder, red velvety liquid flowing freely on her flawless flesh. Her eyes burned with hell fire.

Nature was rebelling alongside her, feeling the intensity of the rage propelling from her slim form. Merlin had to stop her, otherwise there would be nothing else here.

‘MORGANA STOP THIS MADNESS!’ screamed Merlin, his voice deep and low. It was commanding, something Arthur had never paid attention to until now.

With every word spat at Merlin, branches fell and burned. Morgana was beyond mad.

‘ HOW COULD YOU!???? ALL THIS TIME!!’ screamed the dark witch with mad rage.

Guilt grabbed his heart, knowing exactly to what she was referring to. Looking back to Arthur’s immobile shape, he felt brother and sister shared the same pain for his betrayal.

‘Morga-’

‘YOU HAD MAGIC? ALL ALONG YOU KNEW AND YOU LEFT ME TO ROT IN MISERY, AFRAID OF MYSELF..WHY?!’

Merlin slowly made pace towards Morgana’s current station. His face was far from expressionless. His eyes squinted through the carnage, blue irises drowning in salty liquid, full of sorrow. He couldn’t forgive her for what she had done to him lately, but he could understand her anguish.

‘ I-I...a prophecy foretold you would kill Arthur...I was advised not to tell you of my magic, as much as I wanted to tell you...’

A wicked smile appeared on her face, promising retribution. She had heard enough. She despised her brother even more now. Looking back at the past, she could have imagined perhaps some happiness besides Merlin if things hadn’t gone the way they did. Alas, god wasn’t on her side; doomed to be alone for all eternity. Arthur’s destiny messed everything up. She growled like a mad dog, teeth showing.

‘Ohhh...Arthur again… Always Arthur… You will pay dearly for this treachery Merlin’ then she turned her crazed gaze to the shaken King ‘ And you...I will make sure your death will be gruesome. YOU have taken everything from me’ she lashed in anger, their surrounding bearing witness to her powerful dark magic.
Merlin’s shield stood strong, but it wouldn’t last forever. The young sorcerer spared a glance behind him to assess the situation of his friends. They were holding on, but barely. He didn’t want to kill Morgana, merely make her grasp the situation she was in, make her repent. He sighed in surrender, knowing it was wishful thinking on his part.

As much as he loved Arthur now, he had first come to share feelings for the once beautiful princess. It yanked at his heart to have to put her down like a wild animal devoid of feelings. He hardened his facial features, letting nothing show, except perhaps the little tear that threatened to drop.

‘Arthur has nothing to do with this. You chose this path Morgana, no one else’ reprimanded Merlin. She choked a laugh, her powers retreating inside her for the moment.

‘ You cannot absolve yourself from that decision Merrlin. After all, you lead me down that path’ she twirled and skipped like a little girl about to get what she wanted.

Merlin lowered his head in shame. He realized the cost of his mistake.

‘I get it Morgana I hurt you… I failed you, but... let me redeem myself. Arthur wants you home I’m sure. You don’t want to fight me, that won’t end well.’

For the first time since they got here, Arthur spoke to Morgana.

‘ It’s true. Come home Morgana… We have missed you, please don’t do this… All will be forgiven in time, we used to be family once. You don’t have to be alone’

The High priestess chuckled darkly. Arthur looked really pathetic, kneeling pleading for her. Sadly, nothing could make up for everything that’s occurred in the last year.

‘You’re the reason I’m here brother! I’ll rid the world of you.’

The dreadful witch whispered the old tongue so fast, merlin barely had the time to see it coming towards Arthur. A shield erected in front of the broken man and the knights again.

Seeing her attack fail, Morgana’s palm lit with a blazing heat inside, transforming into a ball of fire.

‘Don’t INTERFERE!’ she raged at the traitor currently protecting her prey blasting She blasted spells left and right.

‘Forbærne! Ácwele’ yelled Morgana. Merlin pared with spells of his own, sending a stunning spell at her.

‘Ablinn ðu; forlæte ðu nu’ shot Merlin, his palm aimed at the moving sorceress.

The knights watched in awe the two powerful beings before them, exchanging blows. Both were evenly matched, although it was evident Merlin was on the defensive, hesitating. They didn’t know if they should intervene. They were out of their depth here and swords wasn’t what was needed.

Grasping his injured shoulder from the previous blast, Leon turned his attention to their baffled King.

‘Sire?’ tempted an unsure Leon. When Arthur didn’t reply, he poised his steady hand on his slumped shoulder.

‘W-what is it?’ his voice sounded strained, obviously still hurt by Merlin sudden coming out.

‘Shouldn’t we help? If Merlin fails...’ Leon didn’t want to finish his sentence. As much as he also felt betrayed, he couldn’t help remember those mysterious time where fights went their ways. A tree branch hitting a bandit at the most opportune time, fire catching conveniently; and that was only a few he remembered. He just hoped Arthur wouldn’t execute Merlin for his magic and concealing it from them. Lies, he was aware, was something Arthur had received too much in his life.

Surprisingly, Arthur was calm, considering the bombshell. Blues ocean eyes never left the prone figure trying to defend them at the risk of his life. Their King’s answer shocked them all.

‘Let’s...Let’s believe in Merlin, it seems he’s full of surprises. Besides, we are no match for Morgana’s magic’

Percival heard the undertone of what was implied. He felt compelled to speak on Merlin’s behalf and perhaps Gwaine’s if he was here.

‘My Lord….I know Merlin lied to you, but if it comes to Merlin being executed as a traitor, I-I won’t stand for it...’

Raising his eyebrow in question, the blonde sovereign locked eyes with the large muscled man ‘You have sworn an oath to your kingdom, to your King. What you speak of is treason Percival, but-’ He paused his eyesight searching for Merlin, his voice softened ‘rest assured, nothing will befall Merlin as long as I’m breathing, except maybe a scolding’

The knights smiled fondly. Arthur really had come a long way since meeting Merlin, bullying days and rash behaviors long buried in the past.

Suddenly, a cry pierced the sky

‘AHHH’ Merlin’s skull hit the bottom of the tree roots he was tied up in previously. The young warlock’s head was spinning, he grasped the burned ashes from the ground, hoping to steady his foggy mind. A fire ball connected with his shoulder, sending him flying. The flesh ripping under the heat of the fire leaving yet another mark.

‘MERLIN!’ Grabbing Excalibur from his sheath, Arthur started to leap at the scene, but was pushed back by an invisible force. If Merlin died… If he would lose him for real this time, he would die inside.

‘STAY BACK’ screamed Merlin, fighting off Morgana’s onslaught. Merlin got to his knees, shouting defensive spells and shooting back, hoping to knock the witch down. Arthur had never seen Merlin so….authoritative, it was frightening. He didn’t know if it was Merlin’s presence or his power, but his duvet on his arms electrified.

‘I’M FINE. LEAVE MORGANA TO ME!’ shouted Merlin.

‘Don’t insult me you pathetic sod! You’re barely holding on. I will crush you and then I will kill your precious Arthur!’

‘Akwele!’ said Morgana with a flicker of her wrist.

Merlin flew a few meters back. He was getting tired of getting pushed around. His back was full of cuts and bruises. He could feel the velvety liquid trickled down his back, drenching the piece of cloth that covered him.

‘As it ever occurred to you that maybe I’ve been holding back for your sake. I’ve told you I don’t wanna kill you. This is my last warning!’

‘I think I liked you better under me when you held your tongue! Give me your best shot pet, I’ll enjoy ripping you to shreds’

Both stood still when Merlin shot his hand to the sky, conjuring the power of nature. Dark clouds swirled, air dry, thunder clapping in the sky in anger. Flashes of light pounded like drums.

Morgana’s eye twitched, taken aback by the amount of power. His power resonated through her, her magic recoiling slightly in fear.

As if time had stop, freezing everyone still, bolts of lightning charged to the ground between the two sorcerers, casting shadows on their faces. In warning, a jolt of electricity struck next to Morgana’s challenging figure. Unfazed, her bleeding lips contorted into an awkward quirk.

‘Last chance’ he said, his hand lowering to face his enemy. He felt a tug inside, hoping she would come to reason.

Judging from the unrelenting form switching stance defensively, it would not happen. He exhaled, defeated. He paused, then he glanced at her sadly: ‘So be it. I’m sorry Morgana’

She muttered low as a whisper: ‘ No you’re not...’

The next strike came, expected. She pared it. The ground shook, dust lifting blurring the field. It proved to be a perfect cover for Merlin. Through the fog, Merlin glimpsed at his friend’s location. Unharmed. Good. He couldn’t split his resources; he needed every ounce of strength he had to defeat Morgana. With his weakened state, it proved more difficult than he thought.

The 3 foot soldiers looked at each other on edge, feeling useless. Merlin was fierce on the battlefield. There was much they didn’t know, except that their friend was human after all.

‘His stance his weakening, he won’t last like this forever. At this rate, he will fall, magic or not. His body will not carry on for much longer’ said Leon, assessing the situations, for where rocks and dirt danced through the air, pulverized when a ray of light touched it.

‘I will lay down my sword for him’ finished Leon while the others nodded in consent.

Arthur pondered, deep in thought ‘I know’ he finally got himself off the ground, standing tall amongst his knight. Before he could stumble to the ground, Elyan’s arm reached for his for support, allowing purchase. ‘If there is an opening, we take it, simple as that. Merlin can scream at me all he wants, but it’s time Morgana reaps what she sowed’ Thumping faster, his heart squeezed at the decision. He cared for Morgana, at least the one from his younger memories. Sadly, that person had died when she was kidnapped. She sealed her fate by taking his most important person and torturing him.

‘Foerbanae’ A wall of fire spurted from the earth. Its flames alive, burning brightly, heat radiating breathing in the oxygen from the atmosphere, the trees and life forms from the forest. Black curly hair lifted like silk, suspended in motion, the witch’s flaring eyes molten yellow like the flames surrounding her.

‘You think this will stop me?’ taunted the Witch, her arms flapping to her side. Her face was ugly, skin cracking under the pressure. Merlin felt pity for her.

‘I hope so’ Merlin said confidently.

While closing his fist firmly, the element reacted to its pull enclosing the space around the high priestess. The circle shrunk every second, fire closing in, threatening to crisp her body. She panicked, realizing the flames never answered to her, but Emrys.

Fear was a concept she had casted aside as soon as she embraced her magic. Now, it wasn’t so foreign anymore as it slithered through her veins, gripping at her. In the end, her magic wasn’t as strong as to contain the raging flames.

‘I-I...DON`T...I’M A PRIESTESS OF THE OLD RELIGION, YOUR PITIFUL MAGIC WON’T BE THE END OF ME MERLIN! YOU’LL SUFFER FOR THIS! ARGGGAHHHH!!!!’

A pain filled scream echoed through the land, tearing at their eardrums. The flames ate what was fed to them, appeased once the body at the center was engulfed fully in its mouth.

When the fire receded, a dark hole remained, ashes hot against the cool breeze. The sky cleared with heavy winds, droplets of rain falling onto sweaty foreheads, hair damped once the water graced their fevered skin.

Merlin fell on his knees hard, he winced at the contact, his eyes flittering close, his face welcoming the cool drops dripping down his cheekbones. It was rivorigating, his body drinking it eagerly as it nourished its pores, until the rain retreated as fast as it came.

The pale boy bore marks from his ordeal, bleeding heavily. A feeble smile graced his cut lips. Finally, Arthur was...safe. Arthur didn’t seem to hate him, accepting of what he was after everything they’d been through. He almost wanted to weep when he glanced at the spot Morgana was last seen. His love for Arthur was strong, but a part of him never stopped caring for his lost friend.

As the breeze whistled away, clearing a path for eyes to see, Arthur and his knights almost cried at what they saw. Relief washed over them.

It was over.

Merlin was alive even if bruised severely, he outlived their opposition. Nothing was over yet though. They hadn’t erased Morgana’s threat from their sporadic minds. An army of evil sorcerer marched towards Camelot.

Lost in their reunion, they were not expecting anyone to survive such a scorching attack. Therefore, they weren’t fast enough to parry the blast coming their way, separating them further from Merlin’s struggling form, exhausted.

The picture greeting them was far from aesthetic. Morgana’s facial expression was beyond furious. Her eyes blaring gold, flickering brightly in the darkness of the woods. Her skin was burnt, half her once beautiful face adorned with blisters and gashes. Her teeth and gums were predominant, her lips and chin replaced by hanging burnt skin and bones. Red and black mixed in horror, the white of her eyes bulging out of her skull. Her long curls incinerated, her scalps left only with little threads of silk, crisp and brushed lightly by the wind.

Her bony legs shook with every step taken, her bare feet standing her light weight.

Merlin eyes grew wide, he had not imagined her survival. His magic was depleted severely. His stay here had been detrimental. He hadn’t used his powers in so long, his body was not accustomed to such released amount of power in such a short timeframe.

‘Mor...gana’ he tried to raise himself, but failed miserably which earned him a laugh at his expense from the disfigured woman currently approaching him at a slow pace. He gulped down his nervousness. He wished his death would be swift and Arthur and his knights would be smart enough to leave.

‘You...’ her voice was devoid of emotion, cold as the ice of winter. A invisible force clutched at Merlin’s windpipe, his fingers immediately reaching for his throat. ‘miserable...piece... of shit.’ Her breath hitched, choking on dust. Her crispy flesh collided with his jaw, rolling him onto his back, exposed and vulnerable to her frustrated whims.

‘MORGANA!’ screamed Percival, who surged forwards. She anticipated it, and sent him spiraling into Elyan and Leon, knocking them over.

‘I..Mor..ga...na. Can’t. Breathe...Wha...t...How?’ struggled for breath the young warlock, puzzled at her miraculous recovery.

‘It seems faith is smiling upon me.’ She spared him a look of disdain, choking him more on her darkness destructive force.

Merlin coughed harshly, sputtering blood. His internals organs churned and twisted, as if a hand was inside playing him like an instrument. His lungs felt constricted of air. The color in his face started to drain, his hollowed bruised cheeks darkening, oxygen lacking in his skin becoming dry as the summer air.

He rasped, his hands fumbling around his frail choking neck. Salty water filled his eyes under all that internal pressure. His magic was restricted, confined to his trembling body. He could feel Morgana’s burning gaze upon him, pinning him to the earthen ground. Dizziness gripped him, his vision shifting.

Merlin’s mind sadden at his eminent death. After everything he had been through, Arthur had finally admitted his feelings for him, yet they would become separated once again. He was not surprised Morgana had changed her mind about him, after all, he had taken any opportunity for her to be happy; even more so now that her physical attributes had been burned to a crisp.

Weak feet limped towards his dying form, Morgana’s figure loomed over him, crowding his personal space.

‘ Look at me Merlin...That’s right….Look! As you have taken all possible future from me, I will remove you from his. Poor little Merlin. All this for nothing; in the end, Arthur will die and YOU will have given your life for Nothing.’ she spat at him. Her fist squeeze harder sapping the life out of the young warlock.

The thick red liquid clogged his esophagus, restricting his airways.

‘Morgana..ple...ease. Kill me...if you must..urg’ He coughs patches of blood to his side, blending with the mud and brown dirt. ‘ J-Just don’t hurt Arthur...I beg you-’ He voice was so hoarse, the last words of his sentence died out in the middle. He could feel his chest tighten, heave rapidly, gasping of any air. His organs were falling disintegrating under Morgana’s deviant brush.

Morgana’s sickening laugh boasted through the woods. She looked hysterical, which brought a tint of wild element to her whole demeanor. This made her very unpredictable and dangerous, stilling the hands of the bystanders.

‘Are you kidding me!’ she giggled to herself ‘All that missing oxygen is making you very dull Merlin, perhaps you should take a breath in’ she goaded him earning her a dark glare from the boy ‘It will be me utmost pleasure to watch his suffer after I remove you from this plain of existence. All will know I am the most powerful of all! We could have been great together my dear, but you chose THEIR side over your OWN! You will die a traitor to your own kind... Any last word before your insides melt leaving your carcass empty for the woods to feed on?’

‘I-I pity you Morgana… and I’m sor...ry your heart blackened and lead you here...because...b-because of me’ His blue irises rolled back at the back of his skull, bouts of pain panging through his stomach. His magic was restrained, too weak to fight off this vile intrusion. He sobbed quietly, feeling his system shut down slowly, but surely.

The witch had her attention so focused on Merlin’s frame and demise, revelling in it that she tuned out the knights and the startled Arthur kneeling not too far from them.

Arthur was very afraid. A recurrent feeling since his encounter with his manservant. Seeing Merlin fade under his watchful eyes was equivalently traumatising as his father’s death. Magic was so destructive. It had taken his father and his mother, and now it would claim his own magical protector. Merlin had shown to be very powerful and somehow, he laid there, shaking and groveling.

Being a warrior himself, he knew. He knew that as much as Morgana had done horrendous things, his love for her was holding back. In battle, if the murder intent was not equally favored on both side, then obviously the bolder fighter would emerge victorious. But why?

As King, he was aware that difficult decisions had to be made; ones that might not always be favored. Couldn’t Merlin see that killing Morgana would have to be the answer to their freedom. Don’t be mistaken, Arthur wanted Morgana to live; she was his half-sister, but… her dark magic and goals corrupted her, and that couldn’t be overlooked no matter how much he wanted to save her. Perhaps, he had underestimated their relationship.

A tug to his heart sprung jealousy and hurt. A long time ago, he had figured Merlin had shared affection for his sister. One would think he had no reason to feel threatened by their magical bond, their destiny. Yet, there it was, as he watched them waltzing this macabre dance. His grip tightened on his Excalibur hilt ready to come to his friend’s aid, damn the consequences.

With faint interest, Morgana kneeled next to Merlin, careful not to hide Merlin’s last sight of his friends, enjoying the cruelty. ‘Well, that was very sweet.’ Her sight cast itself on that bloody mouth, but most precisely, the quivering lips. Her own burnt chapped lips hovered over Merlin’s, her soft heated breath brushing his cold flesh. Merlin leaned back as much as he can, not trusting the wicked witch.

Her last taunting seductive words hit his big tingling ears, barely a whisper ‘ It was nice knowing you personally my pet, I enjoyed our time together immensely, however short it was…Perhaps, I’ll have my fun with Arthur before killing him too.’ Her sickening laugh disgusted him. As his heavy eyelids was fluttering close, his heart thumped harder when he felt raw skin poised itself on his in a mockery of love. It was faint, but bitterness and a zest of salty substance coated the fresh skin. She broke their kiss, her hand cradling his face, her thumb softly brushing his jaw, wiping those tears away. ‘I bid you farewell’ said a contemplating sorceress.

Unfortunately, Morgana was so lost in her own victory, she didn’t foresee the long blade lurching towards her from behind.

The sharp weapon went through and through, its edges burrowing forcefully inside her belly to finish its strike in the ground, impaling her, restricting her movements. The reflection of the light in the sharp metal forced blade hit Merlin’s sensitive eyes as it struck the earth right next to his head. Crimson liquid dribbled down the length of the blade under the pull of gravity.

Arthur’s face was tense, his eyebrows furrowed in anger. They met Morgana’s shocked one. Arthur had seen his opening and had taken it, although his body had moved on its own. Merlin was more important than his sister, as much as he loved her still regardless of what she’d done.

The witch turned her head slowly, her slack mouth opened, the remnants of her lips trembling. Her look hardened, anger seeping through those burning pupils.

‘Y-You think...this will kill me?’ she said hysterically, pushing herself up, sword still impaled. She craned her neck in an awkward position, staring at Arthur’s bewildered facial features.
‘I’m a high priestess of the old religion. It will...take more than your pathetic sword to get rid of me, b-brother’ She snarled, her white teeth bared.

‘ That may...may be, but Excalibur i-is not any...ordinary weapon Morgana. It w-was forged in a... d-dragon’s breath’ said a weak couching Merlin. He could feel the heavy burden lift as Morgana’s magic weakened. His magic would take care of the rest. She understood what that meant as only a creature of magic or a weapon forged in a dragon’s breath could kill her.

Arthur couldn’t believe his luck. Merlin had given him this sword. It figures he would have tempered with it to assure his safe keeping. Arthur could help but feel guilty; it seemed Merlin had protected him since they had met. Perhaps, his frustration was misplaced.

Morgana’s feeble figure fell like a thump at Merlin’s left, face first in the dirt. Arthur backed up unconsciously when he saw both of them gaze at each other. He would give them peace, no matter if he despised the thought.

‘I-I don’t want t-to die…’ said the dying witch. Merlin could see the girl he had met at his arrival in Camelot resurface. His face soften despite their complicated history.

‘I’m sorry. I hope y-you will be at...p-eace Mor...gana. I-I’ he paused, catching his breath ‘I wish things would have been...different...’ His bruised arm, which was probably broken, crawled up to reach the pale fingers near him.

Pleading eyes floated in open water as tears flowed freely from her shutting eyelids. A very human genuine smile appeared on the once lovely faired woman’s face.

‘I-I wish i-it...would… have as, as...well’ The last part was uttered in a whisper, as her last intake of precious air was exhaled. The warlock’s heart panged at the lost of his once friend. A droplet of salty water tainted the ecchymose of his hollow cheek.

The dark witch had drawn her last breathe. The world was safe. At least, from her evil ways. Nonetheless, the fight wasn’t over. There was still imminent danger in the horizon.

Arthur approached cautiously the two limp forms, purposefully ignoring their entangled fingers.

‘Merlin?’ he asked, unsure.

‘She’s dead’ stated coldly Merlin, his feelings in check. He winced when he tried to raise himself off the ground.

Arthur dropped to his side in an instant, while the knights gathered themselves around him. He was worried about the severity of his lover’s injuries. Both stood in silence, observing the other. Merlin broke the silence first.

‘I’m sorry’ blutered Merlin weakly. ‘ I wanted to tell you about-’ Arthur decided to cut him right there, holding up his hand. Merlin understood and quieten.

‘I won’t lie to you Merlin. I’m mad as hell, but…’ Merlin’s fearful eyes gripped his heart. He continued to reassure the other he would not reprimand him for this….treason. ‘but right now, I’m too fucking happy to see you alive to care.’

‘Not to break this moment, but we have a crisis on our hands. Morgana’s troops are heading towards Camelot’ explained Leon. He lowered his head in respect to his young friend, showing his happiness to see him once again.

‘That’s right! Our horses are posted not far from here, but that’s a night’s long ride. We’ll never make it in time to stop those sorcerers from attacking’ acknowledged Elyan, afraid for his sister. Their odds were pretty slim.

‘ True, but Merlin is heavily wounded. He needs to restore his...energy’ Even if he knew Merlin, he still had a hard time saying the word magic. Hugging merlin tighter against him, he said: ‘I’m not leaving without him’

Percival crawled to the young sorcerer on the ground, assessing his wounds. ‘Is your magic helping you heal? You look...well, not as... dead as before’ His lips quirked into a little smile.

Arthur prompted Merlin up, holding most of his weight on his shoulders, mindful of his state.

Merlin smiled back weakly in response.

‘Yeah...It will take a while to heal. Unfortunately, ... my magic is pretty much useless right now. Well, unless…’

‘What?’ inquired Arthur. If there was anyway to save his kingdom, he would take it.

Merlin looked unsure. He had a good idea, but he was afraid of Arthur’s response. It was one more lie to add to the rest, but his destiny was more important than his fate.

‘Come on! Tell me! it can’t be that bad, and I just learned my best friend is a powerful sorcerer. So spill, time is running out Merlin’ pushed Arthur.

‘Well, just remember you love me alright?’ said a sad Merlin.

Looking up the sky, his posture straightened as much as he could afford. There it was again, that strong look, Arthur recognized. Like his new lover was holding the weight of the world on his tiny shoulders. The blond haired king was puzzled as to why Merlin would say such a thing.

What came next startled all of them.

"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" shouted the Warlock at the top of his exhausted lungs. He hoped Kilgharrah would heed his call and that Arthur wouldn't hate him too much after this.

‘What did you do?’ asked Percival, stumping out of his stupor.

‘Well, you guys remember that time Arthur and I went to look for the Last Dragonlord and we said he died’

They nodded, either because some had been there or had heard about it later. Arthur’s heroic venture of how he had killed the Great Dragon was a popular tale between the knights.

Suddenly, a loud roar carried in the wind. Everyone, except Merlin, snapped their head in the direction of the sound. Fear coursed through their trained bodies, their hands hovering over their swords, while Arthur removed his from the limp body wasting in the dirt.

‘What was that noise?’ Arthur cried, he turned to face Merlin ‘Merlin? What is that very large thing heading towards us?...Please tell me it isn’t what I think it is…’

‘ It...isn’t?’ tempted Merlin, in an amused tone. Arthur was not in a happy mood now. He was very pissed. He had lied about him killing the dragon. His fists clenched in anger.

Leon broke the tension as the full body of the dragon settled in the open incinerated ground. The fog cleared, his mind coming to a very surprising conclusion

‘You are the last dragonlord, aren’t you’ Everyone gasped at the revelation.

The large lizard’s wings blew the wind at them, ashes hitting their faces. They covered themselves with their forearms while Arthur tried to cover Merlin with his red pendragon cape.

‘Hello young Warlock’ said in a thundering voice the yellow eyed Dragon looming over their small figures.

‘Hey Kilgharrah. I-I need your help’

‘I am here to serve however you wish. Although, I’m surprised to see the young Pendragon as well’ smirked haughtily Kilgharrah.

‘As am I. I thought I killed you. But, we would appreciate your help in saving Camelot. An army of sorcerers are marching towards Camelot to destroy it and it seems that we won’t make it in time without you’ he said , sparing a quick glance in Merlin’s direction.

The Great Dragon glimpsed at the dead Witch’s corpse, then at the boys. He smiled internally. It seems Merlin and Arthur's destiny was now stronger than ever. Their bond transcending the prophecy.

He bowed in respect, finally acknowledging the sovereignty of this King. He had come a long way since Uther’s reign.

‘It would be my pleasure to serve you young King, although as I like to remind Merlin, I am not a horse’ solemnly replied the large reptile. Merlin smiled feebly, bowing his dark haired head as thanks.

‘Of course, let’s get going. We have a war to stop’ said Arthur as helped Merlin walk.

Merlin winced as his magic repaired his damaged organs. The process was painful. He coughed violently, his broken ribs reverberating under the impact of his diaphragm constricting. The condition of his master had not gone unnoticed by such keen eyes. After all, both dragon and dragonlords were linked.

‘Young master, allow me to assist you. You will not be able to help anyone if you are dead’ reprimanded the Dragon. Merlin was his kin and he took care of his own. ‘It won’t fix your magic depletion nor your physical exhaustion, but it will ease what the Witch has done to you’

‘Ah.Thank you Kilgharrah. Arthur? Can you put me on the ground please’ asked Merlin. Arthur hesitated, afraid of what this lizard would do. Merlin saw his doubts and squeezed his shoulder as reassurance. ‘It’s ok. You can trust him’

Reluctantly, the King softly laid him down on the burnt grass, in the vast space in front of the beast.

‘If you hurt him…’ warned the serious King.

‘Stand back’ ordered the old creature as he blew a warm delicate breath over Merlin. Merlin could feel it enveloping him in its care, mending his broken body. His lungs didn’t feel as heavy as before. He regained a bit of color, as pure energy gave him a boost, enough to travel on his companion’s back and defend Camelot.

‘MERLIN!’ cried Arthur, afraid for his well-being.

‘Do not fret, Young Pendragon. My master is fine. Now, I believe it is time to save the future of Albion’

Merlin pushed himself off the ground feeling revigorated. His body still struggled with its balance, but aside from that, he was ready to act and stand by his King’s side.

Arthur clasped his hand in his, climbing together Kilgharrah scaled back as the Knights followed one by one.

And just like that, the winged beast took them in the vast cloudy sky, rushing to its destination.

To be continued...
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Challenges of the Heart