Arthur's POV

"On me!" I shout, my voice rippling through the crowd as my army charges.

Knights dressed in Camelot red storm the army of druids and sorcerers waiting outside the gate. The sound of metal on metal ring out around the lower town. Fires burn across the houses and market stalls. Snow layers the paths, scarlet splatters stain the otherwise flawless white.  

I twirl Excalibur in the air once before slashing down at the nearest druid. I cut him down easily, feeling guilt wash over me as the man collapses to the dirt. 

I turn in time to see a fireball being hurtled in my direction from the sky. The mighty roar of a dragon echoes overhead as the fire approaches. I leap out of the way, rolling in the dirt before rising on one knee to thrust my sword into an oncoming man's chest. I pull my sword out just as the fireball makes contact with a building behind me. Splinters rain down upon my army. Planks of wood crash down all around us. 

I can feel the heat from the fire against my back as I charge in again, sword raised. The sorcerers are pushing us back. They've taken almost a quarter of the lower town already. Camelot's citadel may be an impregnable fortress but even it cannot stand against an army of angry sorcerers and a dragon for long. 

I raise my sword, about to perform a feint when a white flash obscures my vision. I launch myself backwards, as far away from the light as possible. I shield my eyes from the blinding glare just as a loud crack resounds across the battlefield. Many of my knights are blown backwards off their feet. I see Leon collapse on the ground beside me, groaning in pain. 

The light eventually dies down, revealing a smoking and charred area of dirt a few meters away. The knights that had been unfortunate enough to have been caught in the blast look burned. Most, if not all, are not moving. 

I grit my teeth in anger as a figure emerges through the crowd. I rise to my feet, hefting my sword, ready to fight whomever had sent the blast of lightning. 

The first thing I see are his eyes and immediately I know who it is. His irises are burning gold, the usual calming blue are gone. He's dressed in chainmail with a pauldron strapped over his shoulder. A blue cape billowed in the breeze behind him while a staff topped with an aqua gem glittered in his hands. His sword was strapped to his belt, knocking against his thigh as he approached. Even I could feel the power emanating from who I used to think as a harmless and gentle soul.

My anger left me as quickly as it had arrived. My arms dropped down to my sides. I could not fight Merlin. I would face dragons, griffins, the Questing Beast, anything, so long as I never had to fight him. 

I could see the anger flare in his eyes when he sees my hesitation. He hands the staff over to a young man with curly brown hair and unclips the cape from his shoulders. He lets it flutter to the ground before pulling his sword from its sheath. He holds the blade aloft in front of him, eyes still burning a bright gold.

"Fight me, Arthur Pendragon," he says in a low growl.

"No," I say, voice firm with resolve. "I will not."

Merlin takes another step closer. "Fight me you coward!"

"No! I will not fight you, Merlin! Just let me-"

"I will not listen to your excuses."

I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing deep down that Merlin would not listen, that I would have to fight eventually. Out of the corner of my eye I see Leon struggle to his feet. He makes his way over to my side. "My lord, you mustn't fight. Allow me to-"

"No," I cut him off, "I cannot allow you to fight in my stead. This is my fight. Nobody else's."

"But sire-"

"Enough, Leon. I brought this onto Camelot. This is my duty. If I am to die here, like this, then so be it."

"Sire, this was not your fault. Your father was the one who-"

"Yes, but I could have stopped him."

Leon remains silent. He let out a sigh before giving me a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I wish you luck, sire."

"Thank you."

Leon backs away, retuning to the battle that continues to rage around us. 

I move forward with my sword at the ready. I attempt to calm my nerves, trying my best to picture someone else in Merlin's stead only to no avail. Those piercing eyes continue to bear into me, delving deep into my soul and ripping at the guilt inside me. I take in a shuddering breath, waiting for Merlin to make the first move.

He does.

He charges, straight at me with his sword pulled back for a thrust. I dodge the blade easily enough, twisting around to angle my body away from the swords tip. I raise the hilt of Excalibur, hoping to land a hit on the back of his head that would be enough to knock him out but, of course, it wouldn't be that easy. 

Merlin's hand shoots up and catches at my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. He pulls his sword back once again, ready to aim another blow at my chest but luckily I'm able to maneuver my body away, just slightly. His sword grazes my side, sending a stinging pain up from the source. I manage to wrench my arm from his grip and stumble back. My hand grips at my side, checking to ensure the wound isn't deep. 

"Why are you holding back?" Merlin hisses at me.

"I don't want to fight you, Merlin," I say in between breaths.

I can see him hesitate. The anger flickers in his eyes, looking uncertain momentarily before it returns again.

He raises his hand, eyes flashing gold as I'm thrown backwards off my feet. I crash down in the dirt, the world spinning around me. I can just barely make out Merlin's silhouette as he stalks over in my direction. I scramble quickly to my feet, my head throbbing in protest at my every move.

"Merlin, please," I plead but he ignores me and continues his advance.

He slashes down at my right. I raise my own sword, causing our blades to lock. He pushes his weapon against mine, attempting to knock me off balance but I hold my ground. I push back with all my strength but we're caught in a deadlock, neither of us able to push the other back.

The battle rages on around us. The shouts of sorcerers and knights fill my ear drums as our line of defence is pushed further and further back. A large dragon patrols the skies, raining fire down on the army of red.

Merlin takes advantage of my moment of distraction. With a sudden surge of strength he manages to push me back. I stumble backwards, losing my balance, but before I can get the chance to recover I see the hilt of Merlin's sword swing down at my head and the world goes black.

-----

Merlin's POV

I watch as Arthur's body collapses to the ground at my feet. I lift up my sword, and take a deep breath. I can do this. Remember, he killed your mother and father. He does not deserve to live. 

I thrust the blade downwards, aiming straight for his heart. I screw my eyes shut, bracing myself for the inevitable. 

It never comes. 

I feel a cool, wetness stream down my cheeks. Tears pool from the corners of my eyes and I know I can't do it. I can't kill Arthur, not out of cold blood. Revenge would achieve nothing. I look down at the body beneath me and the blade that hovers an inch away from its target. I pull back, sheathing the sword in my belt. I turn away, following after my sorcerers as they charge the gates to the citadel. I wipe the tears from my eyes and continue forward. I can deal with Arthur later. For now, I have a battle to win. 

The knights of Camelot shut the gates to the castle. Archers stand at the ready on the battlements, showering arrows down onto us which the druids and sorcerers deflect but even they can't keep this up for long. 

I catch Lancelot's quizzical look from across the path. He makes his way over to my side with a worried expression. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I say, quickly wiping at my eyes again, "just got some ash in my eyes is all."

He watches me skeptically but says nothing more. He turns back to face the castle walls. "How will we break through? The citadel is known to be impenetrable."

"Not when you have a dragon on your side."

I look up towards the sky, seeing Kilgharrah circling overhead. I call to him in the dragon's tongue, giving him the orders to attack.

I can almost see the small smirk that appears on his face as he swoops down into the courtyard, stunning many of the knights inside. I can hear the screams of the people as Kilgharrah tears through Uther's army. A few moments later, with a quick swipe of the dragon's claws, the gate crumbles. The crowd cheers and charges into the courtyard with weapons raised. Archers cry out in a panic as my fighters storm the battlements. 

I lead my army into the citadel, my fists turning pale from clenching at the hilt of my sword. I stalk through the halls, searching every room I come across for Uther Pendragon. Eventually, I find him.

He's standing before his throne in the council chambers, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Knights flank his sides all with their weapons in hand. Uther glares at me through narrowed eyes.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance," Uther sneers through gritted teeth. 

I remain calm. My face a steady mask. I pull my sword from my belt and hold it out towards the king. "Surrender now. It would make things easier for us both."

Uther scoffs. "Surrender? To a sorcerer? I would rather die."

"Then so be it." 

I feel my magic churn in my core, the tendrils of energy travelling through my veins when suddenly the knights at Uther's side are thrown towards the wall, their skulls cracking against the stone. I turn to find Morgana with a scowl on her face. She enters the room with eyes blazing in fury. 

"Uther," she says, voice filled to the brim with disgust.

"Morgana..." Uther says in a small voice, "what have they done to you?"

"They have done nothing but bring me happiness. I found a home. A place where I belonged and you burned it to the ground!"

"They have enchanted you. You are not yourself."

"I left of my own will and I will make you pay for what you did!" With a quick chant Morgana pins the king to the wall with her magic. She strides forwards, eyes alight with anger. 

"Morgana, calm down," I say. 

She turns on me, incredulous at my words. "Are you forgetting what he has done? He destroyed our home. How can you forgive him?"

"I never said I forgave him," I snap, "I'm telling you to calm down. Don't let your rage get the better of you. I assure you he will get what he deserves."

Morgana takes a shuddering breath. Her expression softens slightly. Uther drops from the wall, allowing my men to each grab one of his arms. They hoist him up to his feet. The king struggles against their grip but they hold on tight. 

"Take him to the dungeons," I order, "make sure he's under guard at all times."

My men nod and begin to drag him from the room. 

"You will pay for this!" Uther shouts over his shoulder, "I will kill you! Just as I did your father!"

I tense at the words, eyes widening at what he's said as the door shuts in his wake. Uther had killed my mother and father? Had it not been Arthur? Had he not been the one with a bloody blade in his hands? Questions swirl about in my mind. I need to know more. And there is only one person I can ask.

I turn towards the door, preparing to head back out before Morgana stops me with a hand on my shoulder. "Merlin?" 

I turn to face her.

"Are you alright? You suddenly became so unnerved. Did-"

"I'm fine. There is no need to worry. I just... need to confirm something."

With that I head down the halls, rushing through the citadel and back out towards the lower town. 

-----

Arthur's POV

I let out a groan as my vision returns to focus. I can see a small streak of light shining through some barred windows. Stone walls tower around me. A small hint of smoke still penetrates my nostrils as I lie on the cold floor. The dungeons. That's where I am, but the revelation doesn't concern me.  Only one thought is in my head. Merlin had left me alive.

I'm about to sit up when I hear a voice a short distance away, "You're awake."

I turn to find Merlin seated outside the cell on a chair. He holds a book in his hand, one I recognized as the very book he read to me all too long ago during simpler times. He strides over to the bars of my cell. He watches me quietly, his gaze revealing nothing. I couldn't see any of the old love that used to be present but neither could I see any of the hate that had recently surfaced. That was a start. 

"Do you remember this book? I found it in the castle library," Merlin says, turning the book around in his hand, "quite a coincidence, huh? To find this book here and now."

I remain silent, unsure of what to say.

Merlin gives a small chuckle as he flips through the pages, "how foolish we were back then, even if it was only a few months ago. Happy ending's..." Merlin scoffs, "they don't exist. They only appear in works of fiction."

"That's not true," I say quickly, my voice sounding hoarse in my ears.

Merlin sighs then shuts the book in his hand. "Then why can't we have ours? What did we ever do to deserve this?"

I hesitate not having an answer to his question.

"But perhaps you're right. Maybe they are real and we might one find ours. Seeing how things are now I can only hope."  

Silence follows his words. A minute passes, perhaps more. I don't know. Finally, I summon up the nerve to ask the question that has been circulating in my mind.

"You let me live. Why?"

"Because I couldn't do it. No matter how angry I was, and I'm glad I didn't," Merlin replies.

I raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I want to know... did you kill them? Did you kill my mother and father?"