Chapter 20.

They ran down the dark, empty streets until they finally reached the Lake of Avalon. Merlin hurriedly summoned the boat, still not looking or speaking to Tawni. The boat gently bumped against the shore and they all climbed in. “Astyre.” Merlin muttered and the boat moved away from the shore and into the mist that was settled on the surface of the lake. The whole journey towards the isle was a silent affair as it had been on the way back from the isle the first time. But instead of everyone radiating disappointment, everyone was radiating their own form of excitement. Everyone except Tawni.

Tawni was deep in thought staring at the growing dark ominous shape that loomed out of the mist in front of them. After what seemed like hours the boat bumped against the shore to the isle. They climbed back out of the boat and it disappeared in the mist. Merlin and Arthur glanced up at the tall tower and grinned. “We’ll be going back to Camelot.” Merlin said to Arthur, Arthur smiled but it was also a smile filled with pain. Pain at the thought that Guinevere wouldn’t be there to wait for him. Merlin sighed and they walked in the entrance to the tower and headed through the catacombs until they found the room where the tear in the veil was. “Here we go.” Merlin muttered. But as they reached the tear, they noticed that there was a figure standing there staring at it. As they drew closer however they recognised the figure to be Tiannia. “Welcome back Tawnillea, Arthur and Just Merlin. Are you prepared to do what needs to be done?”

“We are.” Tawni replied for them. “Or rather I am.”

“What do you mean?” Merlin and Arthur asked Tawni.

“When I cast this spell to get us back to Camelot it will work. But at a price. For when this spell has got us back. It takes the life of the spell caster. Me.” Tawni answered not looking at them.

“Then we can’t ask you to cast the spell.” Arthur said.

“But I’ll do it anyway.” Tawni said before beginning to cast the spell, “Cymerwch ni yn ôl at Camelot. Nid frys Brysiwch oedi. Cymer ni yn ôl i Camelot. Cymerwch fy mywyd os oes angen. Anfonwch arwyr hyn yn ôl i lle y maent wedi bod.” Golden light flew from Tawni’s hands as she repeated the words of the spell over and over. The light then was directed at Arthur, Merlin and Tawni herself, and in a bright blinding flash of light they had gone. When the trio opened their eyes they were under water in the lake of Avalon. They hurriedly kicked for the top of the lake and broke the surface coughing and spluttering. They swam to the shore and collapsed on the grass. “I hope that never happens to us again.” Arthur said.

“Again... I agree.” Merlin said.

Merlin and Arthur hurriedly sat up, looking around. “Where’s Tawni?”

“Here.” A small weak voice said. It was Tawni, her face was pale and drawn and the light was fading from her eyes.

“No!” Merlin and Arthur cried racing over to her.

“Merlin there must be something you can do!” Arthur cried.

“There isn’t!!!” Merlin shouted back, flipping through the pages of his spell book.

“I must tell you something. But I don’t have much time. So please listen. When that spell was cast it reversed everything that happened. Everyone who had died at Camelot, at Camlann. It all happened but they will still live.” Tawni muttered.

“What?”

“Just listen. Arthur you died after the battle at Camlann right?”

“Right.”

“Well the spell reversed it so that thew battle of Camlann never happened, and if what Tiannia told me is true, Morgana and Mordred will be seeking recompense. Now just remember what got you back here. Magic and sorcery.” Tawni said, before she breathed her last breath and lay still on the grass.