Chapter Thirty, Frey

When Merlyn and Arthur had finally met up with the others in the cave they were going to hide in until they could come up with something, Gwaine immediately swept his wife into his arms kissing her tenderly as he reunited with his wife before Hope wanted her mother. Once the mother and daughter had reunited, Gaius demanded he check Merlyn over and check on her and the baby, kicking the three men out of the cave.

As Gwaine, Arthur and Elyan waited for news on Merlyn and her unborn child and Hope's health as well - Gaius wanted to check her over to - several days later after spending a couple of days living in the cave, two men, who Arthur and Gwaine had met were seen hurrying towards them startling them and also confusing them.
"Who are you?!" Elyan demanded, his hand reaching for his sword.
"Gili? And, Gretir, isn't it?" Gwaine asked, confused. "What are you both doing here?"
"Lady Emrys wrote to us. Informing us what happened in Camelot." Gretir informed them.
"We promised we'd be there if and when she needed it." Gili added.
"I see you have accepted Lady Emrys, Prince Arthur, and you I don't know your name..." Gretir trailed off, looking at Elyan and Arthur, assessing them.

"Merlyn is like a sister to me, Hope is my niece and she's also giving me a new niece or nephew, of course I accept them. I'm not my father." Arthur argued, a frown maring his features.
"I'm Elyan. I may not have known Merlyn for long but she's already a dear friend, she saved my life."
"Good. Good. Where are they?" Gretir nodded satisfied, looking to Gwaine for an answer.
"Her uncle Gaius, a Physician, is checking them over." Gwaine replied, looking towards the cave anxiously as Gaius started to leave the cave.
"How are they?" Multiple voices asked anxiously.
"All of them, Merlyn, Hope and the unborn child, are relatively okay. Besides some exhaustion, hunger and slight dehydration they are okay. I've given them some mild sleeping Draught so they can rest for a while. But they need sustainable food and water." Gaius informed them, a worried frown upon his face.

"We figured as much, it's why Gretir and I stopped at any markets we could." Gili informed them, showing the large burlap sack slung over his shoulder.
"Thank you. Thank you." Gwaine and Arthur sighed, voice tight with relief. That had been a great concern of theirs that something could happen to the three of them while they were hiding in this cave.
"I can also cast some healing magic over them." Gretir offered.
"You'd do that?" Gaius asked surprised, casting a glance to the others - having missed the previous conversation.
"Of course. I promised Lady Emrys before she set the Fisher King free that I'd help anyway I could." Gretir stated, with that he ambled down the rocky, sloping ground towards the entrance of the cave.

***

After some good rest, food and water both Hope and Merlyn were doing much better, but everyone knew they couldn't stay there for much longer.
"What about staying in your home village, Ealdor, for a while?" Elyan suggested worriedly, looking away from Hope who was being entertained by Gili and Gretir with magic to Merlyn who had been trying to cheer Arthur up.
"No." Merlyn denied empathetically. "Morgana knows my mother lives there. I will not put my mother and everyone else in danger." Elyan nodded in understanding and went back to thinking of what they could do before he went and swapped with Gwaine on guard.

"Have you tried using the water the Fisher King gave you, Lady Emrys?" Gretir asked, hearing part of Merlyn's conversation with Gaius.
"Water? What water?" Arthur asked, confused, he'd finally heard the story that she'd met the Fisher King - and wasn't that a shocker - when she'd been trapped within the Throne room but nothing about water.
"Water of Avalon. He said, "in Camelot's darkest hour, it would show me the way". But I've tried every revealing spell I know, even Shide spells, and nothing." Merlyn sighed in frustration.
"You have to break the container and the magic within the water will connect you with the Man of the Lake." Gretir revealed.
"No." Merlyn whispered, tears in her eyes shaking her head as she stumbled to her feet, realising who Gretir meant.

"Who?" Elyan and Arthur asked, confused.
"What's wrong?" Gili asked worriedly, looking from Merlyn's distraught expression and Gaius's sad and empathetic one.
"I am sorry Lady Emrys." Gretir apologised. "I do not mean to upset you."
"I -I know," Merlyn stuttered. "I just need a moment." She muttered, leaving the cave. A seconds later Gwaine entered looking angry and concerned.
"What happened?" Gwaine demanded, looking accusingly at Arthur.
"Don't look at me!" Arthur snapped, offended. "But that's also what I want to know." He added looking from Gaius to Gretir.

"Frey was Merlyn's first love. He was a Druid boy Merlyn had planned to leave Camelot with. A boy who had been captured by Halig." Gaius explained hesitantly. A horrified look for realisation appeared on Arthur's face, he looked from Gaius to Gwaine who seemed to know what Gaius was talking about.
"Please Gaius. Please Gaius tell me I didn't kill the boy Merlyn had feelings for!" Arthur begged.
"You didn't know Arthur." Gaius said softly.
"That's not the point!" Arthur shouted, his horrified look seemed to only increase when he remembered something. "Now that I realise the creature - the Bastet - the boy turned into, calmed when it saw Merlyn after the statue fell. I didn't think anything of it at the time, I thought Merlyn was running to you Gaius."

"Despite not being soulmates in the regards that Gwaine and Merlyn are, Merlyn and Frey's love was a profound thing to affect him even in his creature form he'd been cursed into." Gaius said sadly and in amazement. "Much like mine and Alice's." He muttered sadly to himself before he continued explaining before Arthur could question him. "Once Frey had changed back to his human form, Merlyn took him to the Lake of Avalon and with his dying breath he promised he'd repay Merlyn one day for her kindness and making him feel loved before he died in Merlyn's arms."
"Like Will, her childhood and only best friend in Ealdor. Like Balinor, her father did. And she nearly lost her mother and you, Gaius!" Arthur muttered self-deprecatingly.
"Why must Merlyn lose everyone!?" Elyan and Gili demanded, feeling protective of the petite ravenette.

"That I do not know. But I feel until the Laws in magic are changed, there may be more deaths we've yet to experience." Gaius muttered despondently.
"No! No there won't be!" Arthur denied. "I've already started on rewriting those Laws, I've hidden them in my chambers in a secret compartment in my desk. No one knows where it is so hopefully Morgana and Morgause will not find it. If, when we retake Camelot I will finish it and issue it. Those with magic will not be hunted and prosecuted. If they do commit a crime they will be judged fairly like anyone else." Arthur declared, receiving many elevated and proud smiles from those around him.
"Mama? Mama? Mama!" Hope shouted, looking around for Merlyn getting more and more upset as her magic reacted to her emotions.

"Mama is okay sweetheart." Gwaine soothed, picking his daughter up and holding her close as Merlyn hurriedly entered the cave, her sword in hand which instantly put everyone on alert.
"What happened?" Gili asked.
"I'm fine but Morgana's men are everywhere we have to do something!" Merlyn panted, taking Hope into her arms when she reached for her and kissing all over her face, getting some wet giggles from her daughter as Gwaine wrapped his family in his arms, holding them close.
"Where on earth did you go, Merlyn?" Elyan questioned sharply, he and Gili quickly approaching the cave entrance to peer out at the Forest around them; their swords in hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Should I not go to the bathroom? I can't help it if I have to go. I am pregnant, you know." Merlyn muttered scathingly, her hormones playing havoc with her emotions and magic. "Sorry." She apologised when she realised how sharp she was.
"No, it's okay. I'm sorry." Elyan apologised. "But we're just worried for you."
"Merlyn, I'm so sorry." Arthur apologised sadly. "For everything. For Will. For your father and for Frey. I understand if you hate me."
"I could never hate you Arthur. It was never your fault, you didn't know any better. You were protecting Camelot." Merlyn replied with a smile; that smile easing Arthur's guilt.

"What we need to do is act before Morgana gets any stronger." Merlyn mused, changing the subject to take Arthur's mind off of his supposed guilt.
"Have you sent word to Lancelot yet?" Gaius asked his Great-niece/pseudo daughter.
"I sent a letter to Haldor, days ago."
Meryn informed them. "I haven't heard anything back so he may have moved on by now."
"Give it time." Gaius assured, choosing to be hopeful.
"We don't have time. We must act now." Merlyn and Elyan argued.
"I know, Merlyn, but how?" Arthur and Gaius asked.

"The Immortal army before, how was it defeated?" Gwaine asked.
"The Cup of Life had to be emptied of the blood it contained. Once that had happened, the enchantment no longer held." Gaius explained.
"Then that's what I'll have to do." Merlyn said decisively.
"They're immortal, Merlyn." Gili argued.
"And you have Hope and your unborn child to think of." Arthur added sternly. She ignored them all as she summoned up all of her courage, Merlyn sat on her makeshift bed and reached into her bag and pulled out the vial.
"Are you sure this will work, Gretir?" Merlyn questioned, biting her lip worriedly. She loved her husband with all of her heart, soul and being, but there would always be a part of her that loved Frey. He was the first person to fully understand her.

"I'm sure Lady Emrys." Gretir assured her, with a nod of his head.
"You know how much I love you right?" Merlyn suddenly asked Gwaine.
"Of course I do!" Gwaine exclaimed, crouching in front of Merlyn and resting a gentle hand upon her cheek. "We're soulmates, remember? I feel how much you love me as you feel how much I love you. You are the amazing mother of my cheeky daughter and you're giving me a son, Balinor -"
"How do you know it's a son?" Arthur demanded nonplussed, only to receive a slap around the head from Gaius and a stern look. "Sorry."

"I was right about Hope, wasn't I?" Gwaine asked rhetorically, before returning his attention back to Merlyn. "As I was saying. I have no doubts how much you love me, Merlyn. But I also know Frey was your first love, the first one who truly understood you about your magic when you felt so lost and felt like a monster. And I will forever be in debt to him for making you realise not only were you NOT a monster but you weren't alone either. You are the sun of my life and I love you."
"You're my moon and stars and I love you too." Merlyn whispered, resting her head in Gwaine's hand as he tenderly brushed away her tears.

After their tender moment, Gwaine stood and took a crouched position beside her as Merlyn dropped the vial causing it to smash on the rocky floor. Something amazing happened as they all came to watch the water move with a mind of its own as it glistened otherworldly, trailing down the rocky floor until it reached the larger pools of water. It seemed to shimmer for all of a few seconds before slowly Frey's face appeared in the water causing Merlyn to gasp sharply while Hope (who was still within her mother's arms looked from her mother to the man in the water curiously).
"Frey?" Merlyn whispered.
"I've missed you." Frey smiled. "You've met your soulmate and had children, it gladdens my heart, Merlyn. If anyone deserves happiness it is you."

"Mama?" Hope asked, looking from her mother to the water and back again.
"I've missed you too, Frey. You deserved happiness more than anything." Merlyn whispered, bouncing Hope on her knee.
"And I got that with you Merlyn. I'd never known happiness or love like the depths I felt with you. I swore that one day I would repay you. Now is the moment. There is but one weapon that can slay something which is already dead." Frey revealed, causing realisation to cross Merlyn and Gaius' face.
"A blade forged in a dragon's breath." Merlyn whispered.
"That weapon lies at the bottom of the Lake of Avalon. Where you hid it." Frey reminded her.
"But Morgana's army are not dead, they're very much alive." Arthur interrupted, confused. "I'm sorry Frey." Arthur apologised.

"Do not apologise, but I accept it nonetheless." Frey stated. "However, anyone who toys with the cup pays a terrible price. The moment they entered their pact with Morgause, they became the living dead. You just come to the lake." Frey begged Merlyn.
"And you will give Merlyn this sword?" Elyan asked, everyone was listening intently to what was being revealed even if they were pretending otherwise.
"In Merlyn's hands, and Merlyn's hands only, it has the power to save Albion. Anyone else who tries to wield it, even if it is to defeat Morgana's army, will not save Albion. In fact they will cause its destruction." Frey stated firmly, knowing those listening had been about to argue against Merlyn doing it - which he could answer.

"Thank you Frey." Merlyn muttered gratefully.
"No. It's given me the chance to see you again. Look after her." He added firmly to Gwaine.
"I will." Gwaine swore, nodding to Frey who nodded back at him. And with one last tender smile at Merlyn he disappeared from the water's surface.
"Gara!" Hope exclaimed excitedly, her magic knowing their Kin was needed, in the silence that had followed Merlyn's conversation.
"That's right baby." Meryn agreed, kissing her daughter's dark curls, her voice right with emotion.
"Who's Gara?" Elyan asked confused, looking to Gili and Gretir who shrugged, just as confused by the mischievous smiles upon Merlyn's, Gwaine's and Arthur's faces and the put-upon one upon Gaius's.
"You'll see." Gwaine smirked.

***

With the curiousness and eagerness filling them all not to mention the danger the odd group ambled through the Forest cautiously, Gwaine, Arthur, Elyan and Gili with their swords drawn, Gretir with his twin daggers and Gaius and Merlyn in the middle with Hope I'm her Great-great uncle/ pseudo grandfather's arms. Once they reached a clearing large enough for Kilgharrah to land in - thankfully without running across an Immortal soldier - Merlyn threw her head back as she called for her dragon Kin; startling Elyan, Gretir and Gili who hadn't expected that sound to come from Merlyn.

"O drakon, emale so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" She waited a few minutes, then she heard the sound of large wings flapping above her head. As Kilgharrah landed the earth trembled a little but Merlyn managed to keep her balance, as she stood face to face with her Kin, everyone else wobbled as the ground shook.
"Gara!!" Hope squealed, her eyes turning molten gold. Kilgharrah bowed his head towards Merlyn and Hope while Elyan, Gili stood with their mouths open (Gretir would claim he was more refined than that).
"Hello Kilgharrah." Merlyn greeted kindly, one hand on her minute bump the other reaching up to stroke his snout for a moment.
"Oh! That's what Hope meant." Elyan and Gili whispered to themselves in realisation.

"Young Mage and littler Mage." Kilgharrah greeted. "I see congratulations are in need once more, Merlyn. Who are your friends?"
"Thank you, we're thinking of naming him after my father: Balinor." Merlyn revealed looking down at her stomach for a moment before returning to the matter at hand. "This is Elyan, Gili and Gretir." Meryn introduced. "And you know Gaius, Gwaine and Arthur."
"Of course. The future Sir Elyan, noble brother of the Once and Future Queen, Gili the loyal protector of you Merlyn, and Gretir the once Keeper of the bridge to the lands of the Fisher King." Kilgharrah revealed omniscience.
"Knight?" Elyan asked, alarmed. "I'm not a Knight."
"Not yet you are not, but like with Merlyn and Arthur there is much written about you and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table." Kilgharrah stated.

"Much like Gili can not claim his right as Merlyn's loyal protector until Arthur takes the Throne and makes Merlyn his Chief Advisor and Mage of the Court which will unite the lands of Albion." He turned away from the proud Gili, perplexed Elyan and confused Arthur. "What is it you need of me, young Mage?"
"I have to cross twenty leagues of hostile territory. Can you please take me there?" Merlyn asked politely, however, before Kilgharrah could answer Gaius best him to it.
"If you do not take Merlyn, then Morgana would have won. Unless, of course, that is what you want?" Gaius asked assessing, testing the dragon.
"My allegiance has never been with the witch!" Kilgharrah exclaimed, affronted and offended.
"But is it with Merlyn?" Gaius asked.

"Yes, it is with Merlyn, as it has always been." Kilgharrah confirmed, earning a beaming smile from Merlyn and a satisfied nod from the overprotective and at times overbearing men around her. "But I shall only take Merlyn, I am not a horse!"
"I'll be perfectly safe with Kilgharrah, just go back to the cave. Protect Hope and Gaius." She begged them.
"You know we will, Merlyn." Arthur assured his sister.
"Thank you." Merlyn sighed with relief. "Be good for Daddy, your Uncles and your grandfather, my little dragon." Merlyn said sternly, kissing her daughter and rubbing their noses. After kissing Gwaine, and getting pulled into a hug by Gaius, Merlyn climbed onto Kilgharrah and situated herself in his neck, looking to everyone else rather regal.

***

After a short flight, Kilgharrah landed on the shores of the Lake of Avalon. Steeling herself Merlyn slowly and carefully slid from Kilgharrah's back landing with a soft thump on the sandy shore beside him.
"Thank you."
"I warned you before that in the wrong hands this sword can do great evil. You must promise me, Merlyn, that once its task is done, you will place it where none can wield it." Kilgharrah requested firmly.
"I promise." Merlyn swore, she looked around for a moment before spotting a little boat hidden in the bushes. "Gesigle." She intoned, causing the boat to softly glide across the water while Kilgharrah watched on waiting to take her back to the others.

Nervously Merlyn's eyes darted across the lakes surface looking for any sign of Frey with rising trepidation only to become disappointed when she didn't see him only for her moods to rise and fall rapidly until she reached the middle of the lake when suddenly an arm shot through the surface holding the sword.
"Thank you Frey. I miss you." Merlyn whispered, accepting the sword.

***

After her late night, Merlyn was having a lie in, no one having the heart to wake her (Hope joining her mother for a nap; the pair of them being watched over by Gaius), when they suddenly had unexpected arrivals in Gwen and Leon.
"We've been found!!" Elyan and Gili shouted, interrupting Gwen and Leon reuniting with Arthur and Gwaine, and being introduced to Gretir. "They're alimony upon us!"
"Go and wake Merlyn and grab Hope and Gaius! Quickly!" Arthur shouted at Gwaine.
"Is she alright?" Gwen and Leon asked worriedly.
"They've been better." Arthur answered tersely. A second later they were rejoined by Gaius who had Hope strapped to him, Gwaine and Merlyn who had the most beautiful sword Leon had ever seen.

"We need to get out of here. Run!" Arthur ordered, causing everyone to run and scatter. As they ran the narrowed paths covered in rocks and tree roots Merlyn somehow got separated from the others when one of the Immortal Knights jumped into her path causing her to suddenly duck as he swung his sword at her. A fight soon ensued between them until finally Merlyn saw an opportunity and sliced him in the back causing him to explode.
"Merlyn!" Gili exclaimed, released to see she was alright. "Hope is fine. Gwaine and Leon are protecting her and Gaius." He resisted causing her to sigh in relief.
"Let's go!" Merlyn agreed, running off after the others with Gili protecting her back.

When they caught up with the others they noticed some of the army coming down the path towards Arthur and the others when a shout suddenly wrenched the air.
"Look out!" A gruff man's voice was their only warning before a rockfall occurred barring the army's path towards them.
"Who's that?" Arthur asked, confused.
"I think we should just be grateful they aligned with us and not the army that had been heading towards us, Prince Arthur, especially as Lady Emrys had been separated from us." Gretir informed them sternly.
"WHAT!!" Leon, Gwen and Arthur shouted, spinning around to see Elyan, Gaius with Hope and Gwaine a few feet behind them and then several feet behind them was Merlyn who looked unharmed and Gili.

"Merlyn my friend, are you alright?" Another voice asked from above them directing everyone's attention before Merlyn could be questioned. Looking up they saw a tall and muscular man standing beside...
"Lancelot!" Gwen whispered reverently.
"I'm fine thank you Lance." Merlyn said gratefully.
"Good and congratulations." He smiled at his friend looking from Hope to Merlyn's small bump. "We need to hurry." Lancelot beckoned, leading the way out of the ravine from above.
"I take it that rock fall wasn't an accident." Arthur commented, once they were all together again. Gwaine holding Merlyn and Hope close.
"This is Percival. It was his strength that brought them down." Lancelot introduced, clapping his friend on the shoulder.

"Your Highness." Percival nodded to Arthur.
"Arthur." Arthur affirmed, shaking Percival's hand, raising an eyebrow at his pure strength.
"Arthur it is." Percival agreed.
"Who is everyone?" Lancelot asked.
"This is Sir Leon, Gwen's brother Elyan, Merlyn's husband Gwaine and their daughter Hope, Gaius, Gretir and Gili wizards and friends of Merlyn's." Arthur introduced everyone for both Lancelot and Percival's benefit.
"Y-you kn-know about..." Lancelot trailed off startled, looking to Merlyn worriedly, his hand reaching for his sword, Percival frowned, quickly assessing everyone as his own hand reached for his sword. Lancelot had told him so much about Merlyn he felt like he already knew her, that she was a baby sister to him.

"Lancelot, Percival, calm down." Arthur placated, hands raised. "Merlyn and Hope are under no threat from any of us and neither are Gretir or Gili."
"Merlyn is like a sister to Arthur and I and Hope is a niece." Leon added. "And as she's vouched for Gretir and Gili, then they must be of good character."
"I'm sorry but after my family was killed and I arrived in Camelot, Merlyn did so much for me I came to regard her as a friend, a sister. I owe her so much." Lancelot apologised.
"Lancelot told me all about Merlyn. I feel as if I know her." Percival shrugged, not going to apologise for his protective behaviour.
"You don't owe me anything Lancelot." Merlyn denied.

"Just wait until you meet Merlyn's dragon." Elyan muttered, amazed.
"Dragon? What dragon?" Leon, Lancelot and Gwen asked.
"The Great Dragon, Kilgharrah. The DragonLord that Arthur and I went to get a few years ago Balinor was my father. Like with all inheritances I took the mantle when he died protecting me from Cenred's men when they caught us unawares." Merlyn explained. "I'm sorry I did not tell you before. I've grown up learning from my mother to keep it a secret she feared I'd be taken from her. I understand her fear now." Merlyn whispered the last, holding Hope close and resting a hand upon her stomach.
"Hope has magic." Gwen realised sadly, now she knew why Hope was hardly out of her parents or Gaius's sights despite how busy they were.

"Yes." Gaius replied. "Merlyn was the first to be born with magic outside of the DragonLord's power, Hope inherited it from Merlyn. Just moments after their birth they were levitating things."
"How is it you three know?" Gwen asked Lancelot, Arthur and Leon.
"Merlyn was the one to kill the Griffin that was attacking Camelot. I was just holding the lance." Lancelot informed them.
"I walked into my chambers a few weeks after Hope was born just as they both did magic." Arthur explained.
"Hope obviously has no control right now and due to the hormones from my pregnancy it caused issues with my control. The same thing happened with Leon but in the Armoury." Merlyn explained, when Gwen raised an eyebrow at her.

"Merlyn!" Gwen gasped, hands covering her mouth in horror. "If someone else had caught you.... I could've lost my best friend and my niece. Uther wouldn't care if you were both born with it or that Hope is a baby he'd just.... He doesn't even seem surprised or even angry that Morgana has magic and she makes no issues in hiding it now. Was she - was she born with it?"
"She was born with the gift of Prophecy but not magic. She had to learn it from Morgause, it's why she framed you Gwen. She no doubt had a vision of you as Queen." Merlyn explained gently, just as Hope started to get restless. "She's hungry." She answered the many concerned looks.
"Then we best find somewhere safe for you both to eat." Arthur stated.

***

Thankfully Arthur knew of an abandoned castle not far away from their current location so they soon set off for the castle at a brisk but cautious pace and soon arrived at the castle where they soon settled down to fill their empty stomachs after making sure it was truly abandoned.
"Are you sure we'll be safe here?" Gaius asked cautiously.
"This castle belonged to the Ancient Kings of old. It'll do for a while." Arthur replied.
"It can't be worse than that cave." Elyan commented dryly.

Shortly after the seven men searched the place to see what they could find while Gwen lit some candles and a fire in the hearth while Merlyn and Gaius rested at a covered table, Hope sat in her mother's lap being entertained by enchanted butterflies Merlyn had created.
"Look what we found!" Gwaine and Gili announced, returning with an armful each of weapons consisting of swords, daggers and even a few axes.
"Must have been left by bandits." Gwaine guessed, dumping them in front of Arthur on a table behind where his wife sat, rounding the table to kiss his wife and daughter. "You alright, love?" Gwaine asked.
"I'm fine. The three of us are okay." Merlyn assured her husband, knowing her friends were listening in despite appearing to be otherwise, while Arthur had a frown on his face.

He seemed to be assessing the shape of the covered table and quickly approached and removed the cover revealing a Round Table.
"Here! Come join me for a moment!" He called gathering everyone to the large Round Table that had just the right amount of seats for all of them. "This table belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot." Arthur started, a proud smile adorning Merlyn's lips as she had a feeling where this was going. "A Round Table afforded no one man or woman more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things, much like I do, and why the ban on magic will be abolished and the law I've written up will be implemented at the first available chance." Arthur smiled at the magic users around the table.

"So it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now. Without each of you, we would not be here. The people of Camelot have suffered enough under Morgause and Morgana's rule, and my father has languished in prison for too long. Tomorrow, I shall make a bid to rescue him. Are there any around this table who will join me?" A hint of hope could be heard in Arthur's voice, as he looked around at his friends old and new.
"You taught me the values of being a Knight." Lancelot declared, being the first to stand. "The code by which a man should live his life. To fight with honour, for justice, freedom," he looked at Merlyn and Hope, to Gili, to Gretir before he continued. "And all that's good. I believe in the world that you will build."

"Even though I was a commoner, a nobody, you still risked your life for me, Arthur," Elyan said as he joined Lancelot in standing. "It is now my turn to repay you."
"You know the answer." Gwen stated meaningfully, standing up besides Arthur on his left.
"When I came to Camelot three years ago at sixteen," Merlyn started climbing to her feet on Arthur's right side, Hope dozing on her mother's hip with her thumb in her mouth.

"I thought you were an arrogant pompous arse, but I have watched you grow and develop into a man who now cares for all of his people no matter what station they were born into. And I know you will be the greatest King this land has ever known; but more importantly, I'm proud to call you my best friend, my brother and Uncle to my daughter and soon my son." Merlyn declared passionately, causing tears to form in Arthur's eyes and a touched smile upon his lips.
"Thank you Merlyn, my little sister." Arthur whispered, feeling incredibly touched.
"I have fought alongside you many times, Arthur. There is no one that I would rather die for." Leon declared, standing from in between Elyan and Gwaine.

"I think we've no chance." Gwaine said solemnly. "And we all know that I was never loyal to your father, to you or to Camelot at the start, I was only loyal to my Merlyn, but she made me realise who you really were. And when you defended her after those fake Knights attacked her, that cemented your true character in my mind. So I wouldn't miss it for the world." Merlyn laughed, shaking her head at her husband and kissed his cheek.
"If you ever need an old man." Gaius stated.
"Your enemies are my enemies." Percival declared.
"I knew from our first meeting Arthur Pendragon of the world you would build. You just needed Magic, Strength and Hope to aid you." Gretir informed him, looking from Merlyn, to Gwaine and finally to Hope. "As I have sworn to aid Lady Emrys and she has vouched and supported you, protected you, it is only right that I do the same."

"Like many of my kind I feared you would be just like Uther and at first you seemed to prove us all right." Gili stated seriously, Arthur shifted as a surge of guilt threatened to consume him as his mind drifted to what he'd allowed to happen, what he'd done himself in the hopes of gaining even the semblance of affection from his father that he so freely showed to Morgana. "But when I came to Camelot, it was thanks to Merlyn that I saw you for who you truly were and not who I feared you'd be. So it is with that thought that I'd be glad to fight alongside you."
"I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need." Arthur said gratefully. "I'll do something that my father won't approve of." He nodded to Lancelot, Percival, Elyan, Gili and Gretir to accompany him over by the fire pulling his sword from his belt.

Words seemed to get stuck in their throats as they realised what Arthur was prepared to do as they joined him and kneeled before him, Merlyn beaming happily as she rested against Gwaine.
"Seems you and I aren't the only Knights here, hey, Leon." Gwaine joked mischievously, causing everyone to roll their eyes fondly at him as they turned to watch Arthur.
"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Percival, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Elyan, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Gili, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Gretir, Knight of Camelot." Arthur intoned, touching each man's shoulders with the blunt face of his sword as he walked down the line. "Tomorrow you can stand proud knowing you are members of the most noble army the world has ever known."

"Oh congratulations! I'm so happy for all of you!" Merlyn beamed ecstatic. "Lancelot you finally get your dream of being a Knight."
"It's all down to you Merlyn." Lancelot insisted.
"What? No it's not!" Merlyn denied vehemently, shaking her head while stifling a yawn.
"It is. If I hadn't met you, you'd have never helped me realise it the first time around." Lancelot insisted. "But what are you planning?" He asked shrewdly, drawing everyone's attention back to them instead of rolling out their beds. "And don't even think of lying, I know you too well."
"I have to reach the Cup of Life that holds all of the blood of Morgana's army and empty it." Merlyn sighed, knowing arguments were about to take place.
"WHAT??" Lancelot, Percival, Leon and Gwen shouted.

"Merlyn you can't, it's too dangerous. What about Hope? Your unborn child?" Gwen fretted, not wishing to bury her friend at the end of this.
"Gwaine, Arthur, you can't agree with this!" Leon demanded.
"It's not their decision. It's none of your decision. I have to do this, I have to fix things." Merlyn argued.
"Merlyn, I have told you countless times but it was NOT your fault." Gaius insisted firmly. "You had no choice, Morgana was the root of Morgause's enchantment, what was keeping everyone asleep and what had raised the Knights of Medhir."
"But I drove her firmly into Morgause's arms, Gaius. She thought I poisoned her because she had magic." Merlyn said, upset.

"No." Gaius insisted, gathering her in his arms, stroking her hair. "That is what Morgause told her."
"I agree with Gaius." Arthur added. "By then Morgana had sided with Morgause for there to be an enchantment in the first place. It was never your fault." He took her out of Gaius's arms as Merlyn broke down in tears as she purged herself of all the guilt she had accord inside her the past few years. Once she calmed down she stepped back wiping the tears from her face.
"Aren't we forgetting something?" Elyan asked. "I know Frey said Merlyn has wielded that sword, but the Cup will be guarded by an Immortal army."
"Aren't you forgetting something? I have magic and a sword that can kill the living dead." Merlyn rebutted teasingly.
"That doesn't make you Immortal." Gwen agreed, biting her lip in her worry. 
"No." Merlyn whispered. "But I have to."

***

The next morning at dawn they once again stood around the Round Table but this time they were planning.
"There is a tunnel under the northern ramparts that brings us only a few paces from the entrance to the dungeons." Arthur informed them strategically. "It will be well guarded. To get everyone out, we just remain unobserved. We cannot let them raise the alarm. But also, someone will need to go with Merlyn to the Cup."
"I'm going." Gwaine stated.
"No, your children will need both their parents and you would sacrifice yourself if you had to, so I will go." Lancelot interceded quickly before Gwaine could argue. "You know I will protect her with my life just as well as you would, Gwaine."

"But..."
"He's right, Gwaine. I know you're more protective of her now and rightly so," Leon added, agreeing with Lancelot but also placating his friend. "But you also wouldn't be thinking clearly if you were fighting beside her. She's a damn good fighter."
"Fine. Protect her, Lancelot, please." Gwaine begged.
"Of course." Lancelot agreed.
"Merlyn you need to be careful if Morgause catches you she'll kill you." Gaius fretted.
"I'll be okay Gaius." Merlyn promised, hugging him.

"We need to take out the warning bell." Gili surmised. "That way the warriors will have no means of communication."
"Gili and myself will take out the warning bell, but first I shall cast a protective enchantment on Lady Emrys so neither Morgause or Morgana can use magic on her which will afford her and her child some extra protection." Gretir added.

"Good idea." Arthur agreed, sighing in relief that extra protection was added to Merlyn, though Merlyn was not pouting, she wasn't.
"Gwen, can you and Gaius protect my daughter?" Merlyn asked, holding Hope close as she kissed her forehead.
"You know I will Merlyn." Gwen agreed. "Just make sure to come back." She begged, hugging her best friend tightly before she walked off leaving Merlyn and Gwaine to have a moment alone together with their daughter.

***

It was a long and arduous battle and there had been a few casualties in Sirs Galahad, Bedivere and Kay, fortunately aside from a few small wounds everyone else escaped relatively unharmed. Gili and Gretir had managed to take out the warning bell but it made little difference as an Immortal Knight had warned the others, so they had followed after Merlyn and Lancelot protecting their backs. Which came in handy - along with the spell Gretir cast on Merlyn - when Morgause tried to kill Merlyn; the spell rebounded off of Merlyn and onto Morgause knocking her off her feet. As she climbed once more to her feet to attack Merlyn and the others once more, Merlyn exposed herself and threw Morgause into a pillar causing internal bleeding.

When Morgana found out she swore that things had just begun glaring at Merlyn as she screamed causing structural damage as she teleported them away.
"Merlyn! Merlyn! Merlyn!!" Gwaine's worried shouts echoed in the halls of Camelot as he raced through the castle looking for her.
"I'm here!!" Merlyn called, slowly climbing to her feet after Gretir had finished patching up the wound on her arm.
"What happened?" Gwaine greeted, running in, dropping to his knees before her anxiously. "Love, what happened?"
"I'm fine, it's just a small graze. The spell worked and it protected us." She assured her, resting their joint hands on her bump.

"Thank you Gretir. Thank you Lancelot and you Gili." Gwaine said gratefully.
"You don't have to thank me." Lancelot refuted, wincing as Gili healed the wound in his side with his ring.
"Is everyone alright?" Merlyn asked.
"We lost Sirs Galahad, Bedivere and Kay, but everyone else is fine, minus a few cuts." Gwaine informed her sadly. "I'm just glad you're both okay, I was worried I'd lose you. I love you my Meryn-bird. But I'm still getting Gaius to check you over."
"I love you too, and don't think he's not checking you over too." Merlyn said sternly, leaning against her husband with a tired sigh just grateful it was all over.

After she had rested for a while and reunited with their daughter after the Knights had brought her back to Camelot with Gwen and Gaius, Gwaine took Merlyn deep into the Forest where Merlyn found a huge rock and used her magic to imbed Excalibur into it where it will be safe and not be able to be wielded by anyone.
"Now, you are going to rest in our bed and not move for a few days." Gwaine said sternly, lifting his exhausted pregnant wife back up onto the horse, climbing on behind her.
"That sounds good." Merlyn muttered tiredly, falling asleep against her husband safe and secure in his arms.