A/N: Hey everyone! Welcome to the fourth story, Blazing, of my Merlin Series the Draconian Prophecies :) I would recommend any new readers take a look at the first three stories (Sparks, Flames, and Burning), to understand the relationship my OC, Marayna, has with Merlin and Arthur and also Merlin's relationship with Morgana as she will have a VERY different role in this story ;) This story will follow the episodes but will also have an original chapter between most of them (except 2-parters) :)

This story should be about 23 chapters long and updated daily. This is also be an Arthur/OC (Merlin/Morgana, Gwen/Lancelot) story ;)

Quick physical description of the OC, Marayna is a tall, slightly gangly woman, with a bit of curly black hair. Her eyes are blue, like Merlin's, with the same cheekbones, smile and other features, as he's her brother ;) She seems to think her mouth is a bit small and her eyes are a tiny bit unlevel with each other. She tends to wear a red dress, even though she hates dresses as she trips quite a bit due to family clumsiness. For a reference, to help in visualization, I picture the OC to look something like Natalie Dormer :)

I hope you enjoy :)

~8~ is a scene break.

"italics" are spells.

'italics' is telepathic talk between magic users.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin...or we'd have seen more of the Druids :)

~8~

The Darkest Hour (Part 1)

There was quite the commotion outside the walls of the castle, in the courtyard where the knights usually trained however this was certainly NOT training. In fact, it wasn't even a knight who was currently battling against the Prince of Camelot…but a former servant.

Merlin grinned widely as he ducked under a blow sent at him from Arthur, something that would have shocked the knights that had gathered to watch the spectacle, to see Merlin actually grinning as he was 'used for practice' due in large part to two things. This was not practice, and the blow didn't come from a sword but a staff. Merlin, mid-duck, jabbed his own staff out at Arthur, catching him in the gut, making the prince stumble back as the knights, namely Gwaine and Lancelot cheered Merlin on. Merlin was very relieved that the memory spell had at least allowed Arthur to remember that he'd knighted the men. It had warped how it had been done, not on an altar before the Druids, but still that they were knights. He thought he'd been returning back to Camelot with him and Marayna and seen that Elyan had escaped the seige with Gwen, that they'd contacted Lancelot and he'd come with Gwaine and Percival, proving their worth and loyalty by vowing to help Arthur, allowing him to knight them.

"Good thing you've got that gut to keep you safe," Merlin said cheekily, swinging his staff around to rest behind him.

"You know Merlin," Arthur refixed his grip on his own staff, "You ought to get a gut, your bones are too easy to break!" and he swung at Merlin again.

Merlin quickly moved the staff back before him and blocked the blow, he and Arthur using the ends of their staffs to try and get a hit on the other, but none were landing. Arthur truly was well versed in many weapons…but Merlin knew the sword was his favorite, just as the staff was HIS, and HE had had ample time to practice with it and focus on it since becoming a minor Lord. He swung the top end of his staff down on at Arthur's head, forcing the prince to lift his staff horizontally to block it in the middle. Which was just what Merlin wanted.

Merlin quickly jabbed the bottom end of his staff at Arthur's side, getting him in the ribs, "What were you saying about bones?" he joked as Arthur grunted at that.

Arthur swung his staff at Merlin but he got his above Arthur's pushing it down to the ground and doing a move Arthur always kept trying to get him to use, elbowing him in the side of the face.

"That's cheating!" Arthur grumbled as he stumbled back, forced to drop his staff as Merlin quickly tossed it aside.

"That's being resourceful," Merlin countered, holding up his staff, "Does this mean I win?"

Arthur rushed at him, grabbing the staff only inches away from where Merlin himself was holding it, "Not till I'm on my back," Arthur muttered.

"Oh," Merlin nodded, "Ok then," his grip on the staff tightened and he turned, twisting to duck under it and hoping that he'd gotten a good enough hold and enough leverage to do as he needed and pulled down…grinning madly when Arthur went flying over HIS shoulder and landed on the ground with a grunt, Merlin quickly moving the staff's end to the prince's face, "Now?"

Arthur rolled his eyes and got up though they knew the small spar was over, "Have fun showing off?" he called to Merlin over the cheers of the knights and onlookers.

"You mean beating the 'killing machine' with a lump of wood?" Merlin smirked, "Yes, very much so."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Arthur gave a smirk of his own that started to make Merlin feel afraid, "Because you sister's going to kill you."

"Why?" Merlin asked hesitantly.

Arthur's jaw tensed as he lifted the side of his shirt where Merlin had struck him to reveal quite a raw, red wound that seemed only partially stitched up by Gaius had reopened slightly. Merlin winced, Arthur had been training the newer knights just last week and one had been too clumsy with a sword and managed to get a good slash at the prince on the side for it. Gaius had seen to it, stitched it all up, but it seemed him striking Arthur in the side had reopened the wound.

And Arthur was right…Marayna was going to kill him.

"She'll kill you first if she finds out YOU were the one to challenge me," Merlin countered.

Arthur rolled his eyes at that, "It's a game, a celebration, not a challenge."

It really was a celebration, that night Lancelot and Gwen were going to be wed. It had been a year since they'd reclaimed Camelot from Morgause and since Lancelot had been knighted. It had been a year of seeing him and Gwen together without the man asking her to marry him but he FINALLY had, much to Marayna and Morgana's joy, Gwen had never been happier and they'd chosen that night to wed. Arthur was adamant about hosting the ceremony though Gwen and Lancelot had say in the final details. They were using the courtyard for the ceremony and feasting in the Main Hall afterwards, the servants were already in a hustle and bustle to get all the vines and flowers that had been requested set up. It was a very good time Gwen had picked, just the last lingering moments when the flowers would be available, just before winter set in.

"Come on," Merlin sighed, "Let's get you to Gaius."

"No Merlin," Arthur remarked dryly, "I was about to go head on a hunt with a gaping wound in my side to attract animals to me."

Merlin shook his head at the sarcasm, "Aya's rubbing off on you," he mumbled, "But you know, if you weren't getting so fat, you'd be faster, you could have blocked that."

"I am not fat," Arthur grunted as they walked off, leaving the knights to the rest of their fun, "I'm just not well practiced in staff combat."

"So you're admitting you're rusty?"

"Merlin…"

"Shut up?"

"Yes."

~8~

Morgana and Marayna were in Uther's chambers, Morgana at the man's desk, working on Arthur's speech for that night, for the ceremony. He would be expected, of course, to give a small speech for Lancelot as one of his knights being married, but also for the holiday, Samhain. It was…actually the first time the holiday was going to be celebrated in Camelot since the Purge.

As Uther was currently in no form to attend the celebration, thinking it only the wedding feast, Arthur had decided to try and honor at least some sort of tie to the Old Religion by having it be for Samhain as well, something Lancelot had suggested when they'd been picking their wedding date. According to him and Gwen, from what the three resident magic-users had said of Druidic Holidays, Samhain was a time to remember those who were lost and feel closest to them while also celebrating the start of winter and the circle of the seasons, life and death and surviving. They wanted their wedding to symbolize a new start, and Arthur was very much for that, he wanted…quite a lot of new starts to come.

They knew he didn't understand why, he had no knowledge of what the Druids had done for his wife and brother-in-law, how they'd helped protect them from Uther when he'd first learned about Marayna's magic a year ago. They'd spoken to Gaius, to the Druids, even to Kilgharrah, and it all had the same conclusion. The Blood Magic they'd used on Uther to make him forget about hers and Marayna and Merlin's magic had made Arthur, being of Uther's blood, forget as well. SHE had been protected through, as they discovered later, Kilgharrah's magic. They'd thought that her own magic had protected her from the memory spell and Blood Magic getting to her, but it didn't quite make sense as Arthur had been born of magic and had at least the tiniest bit in him of it. But speaking to Kilgharrah he'd admitted that he'd wanted to protect Morgana for Merlin's sake if the spell was altered. Merlin had been very thankful for his foresight in that, he didn't want Morgana to forget about her own magic.

Still, it seemed that a small sense of what had happened Arthur retained. He had a sort of…respect for the Druids, a deeper sort of desire to see them left alone as long as they left Camelot alone. He'd even refused to lead raids on their camps any longer no matter how Uther ordered it.

They were hopeful that it might mean they could at least break the Blood Magic on Arthur. Kilgharrah had told them there was a possibility that it would break on Arthur but…only after Uther died. So long as Uther lived, so long as there was blood in him, Arthur would be as unaware of their magic as Uther now was. After Uther died, however, well…the spell had been meant for the kingdom, not for Arthur, so there was a chance he'd break through the spell and remember all he'd forgotten. When Uther, the vessel died, the memory spell alone would have broken on all of Camelot, but now that they'd added the Blood Magic to it and the fact that the memory spell HADN'T been broken on the peasants before the Blood Magic was cast, something far more powerful, the kingdom would not forget, not so long as Uther's blood remained alive…as long as Arthur and Morgana lived.

But…because the memory spell HAD been broken on Arthur before the Blood Magic was added. There was a very strong possibility that Arthur would remember their magic after Uther passed which, as terrible as it was to say…seemed quite…likely to happen.

Marayna was sitting across from Uther, the man by his fireplace, a tray of food beside him, a goblet in his hand as he tried to lift it to his lips…but his hands were shaking so badly he quickly put it down.

"Would you like help Majesty?" Marayna asked him, watching him in concern. She may not like the man, she may think Camelot would be better off with Arthur as the true king instead of have stepped in as Regent while his father 'recovered' (more like deteriorated), but he was still her husband's father, and she was determined to take care of him.

It was…upsetting to Morgana especially, to know that she couldn't actively heal him. She'd been studying for the last year, with Gaius, to learn as many healing spells as she could, wanting to help, but…Kilgharrah had warned them that Uther's hatred of Magic was more powerful than they realized and that, if they did magic in front of him, or even tried to use magic ON him, it might counteract the Blood Magic as it would be essentially revealing what they'd wanted him to forget in front of him. All the memories would flood back and they'd be back to square one again only this time with a dying king crying sorcery and poison at them.

Uther was silent though, ignoring Marayna. She didn't take it personally, he was JUST like Arthur, didn't want to appear weak.

"Will you at least try to eat?" she tried again.

But Uther remained silent still though this time she could see it was more because he was lost in his own thoughts. From what the king seemed to remember, he was sick of heart to know that so many of his people had died so brutally, he'd been forced to watch the knights cut down, the villages burn, the bodies pile up. He'd not been fed, he'd been beaten, and he'd been left in the coldest cell in the dungeons and, given his age, it hadn't helped his health at all. He fell sick easier, he had a terrible cough that didn't go away, and he was losing his appetite. He just seemed…miserable.

Marayna waited a moment longer before she stood, taking the tray but placing a small vial on the table, "Uncle says you're to take this," she told the king, "It'll help your sleep," she added, knowing that would get through to him.

The king had been having nightmares as well.

She sighed and walked over to Morgana as she stood, finishing the speech, "It's been a year Morgana," she shook her head, "He has seen worse destruction in the time before that siege. Why is it affecting him so strongly NOW?"

Morgana could only shake her head, there HAD been worse carnage during the Purge, she could remember that, "Perhaps because this was something that got too close?" she could offer, "To see his people fall, his castle invaded, his throne taken from him in hours when he thought them impenetrable…it has wounded his spirit."

"Do you think he'll wish to join the feast if we ask him again?"

Morgana shook her head, "You're good to ask though, and to take care of him like this. But you shouldn't overtax yourself," she warned, "You've been looking a bit pale and tired lately."

Marayna always ate at least one meal with the king…if just to see if she could get him to eat something, and checked on him at least 3 times a day, spoke to him for at least an hour of it, "I don't do it for Uther," she whispered, "But for you and Arthur. He's your father, the last parent you have left…if it were my mother, I'd want someone to do the same when I couldn't be there."

Morgana understood, Arthur had had to step into the position of Regent a few months ago when Uther had fallen gravely ill and suffered some sort of fit. Ever since then, no matter how much Marayna offered to help him with his duties, he waved her off, saying he could take care of it. They all knew what he was doing though. To him, having Marayna help would mean he was one step closer to actually ruling like a proper king instead of the Prince Regent, it was one step away from his father passing. To him, if HE continued on and did all the duties, then it was just him, acting as prince for his father, and not him about to step into the role of King himself. It was sweet too that Arthur was trying to spare his wife the burden of being Queen when she was only just grasping how to be the princess after a year's worth of lessons, but doing that left Marayna time to herself and she used it all and Morgana could tell it was starting to get to her, she seemed a little more tired than usual the last day or so.

They looked over as there was a knock on the door to see Gwen peek her head in, "Gwen," Morgana smiled at her, "What are you doing here? I thought you were working on the last touches for your gown?"

Gwen, being a seamstress had been insistent to make her own gown and not have one made for her, Morgana had supplied the cloth for it as a wedding present. Gwen smiled, "I was taking a moment to see Lancelot before the ceremony since we won't be able to see each other till then, and he told me that Arthur and Merlin had sparred…with staffs," she added.

"Right," Marayna nodded, "We'll be to Gaius's in a moment to check on Arthur."

Morgana had to chuckle at that just a little as they headed out, how Marayna immediately knew ARTHUR was the one in need of tending this time.

~8~

"What did you do this time Artie?"

Arthur winced as Gaius worked on re-stitching what he'd pulled just as Marayna and Morgana entered the physician's chambers, him sitting on the work bench with his shirt off being tended to, though luckily the wound was on his other side so they couldn't see.

"Ask your brother," he grumbled.

"Arthur's got fat and slow," Merlin told them with a cheeky smile.

"Merlin!"

"And he's rusty with a staff."

"Merlin!"

"And he's…"

"Finish that sentence Merlin and I'll find some way to throw you in the stocks," Arthur shot a glare at him though they all knew he was bluffing.

Merlin rolled his eyes, "He challenged me to a staff duel…"

"And you won, obviously," Marayna nodded.

"Your utter faith in the military prowess of your husband astounds me," Arthur remarked dryly.

"Aww," Marayna made her way around to smile at him, "Does the prince feel unloved?"

"Yes," he nodded, reaching out a hand to her, "I do. I demand a kiss as recompense."

Marayna laughed, "Oh you DEMAND a kiss do you?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I humbly request a kiss," Arthur corrected, ignoring how Merlin and Morgana were laughing behind him.

"Well far be it from me to deny you such a request," Marayna leaned in…and kissed his cheek, "That's what you get for demanding things of your wife."

Arthur huffed and pouted, "But I'm injured."

"An injury you knew to make sure you were careful about," Marayna countered.

"Your brother was the one who ripped the stitches."

"YOU were the one who always told him use every advantage he could."

"NOW he starts listening to me," Arthur grumbled.

Marayna laughed and looked at Gaius, "How is it Uncle?"

Arthur had to smile at that, despite her remarks, she did care.

"He'll be just fine my dear," Gaius nodded, "I'm finishing the last stitch now."

Marayna leaned over to check his work…only to feel her stomach twist and grow queasy as she watched his needle stab through Arthur's skin and tug a sting after it, doing it again and again and…

"Mara?" Arthur reached out to touch her hand, pulling her attention back, "Are YOU well?"

"I'm fine," she offered him a tense smile.

"You're pale," he pointed out, "You look as though you're about to faint."

She scoffed, "ME? Faint?" she shook her head, "I'm fine…I just…did a potion break in here?" she glanced at Gaius, "I feel like I smell something odd, it's hurting my head."

"I smell it too," Morgana offered as Arthur opened his mouth, "Why don't you come with me," she held out a hand, "We can take a walk, get fresh air."

"Don't walk too far," Arthur squeezed Marayna's hand, "You'll exhaust yourself."

"I was thinking of just walking back with her to your rooms," Morgana rolled her eyes, "Let her take a nap. All the festivities and excitement is just getting to her."

Arthur seemed unsure of that but nodded, letting them go out of the room, watching his wife and sister leave before he let out a deep sigh.

"Aya's FINE Arthur," Merlin moved to sit beside him.

"She hasn't been sleeping well," Arthur told him, "She's been tired and napping and…"

"And helping Gwen with her preparations and tending to your father and keeping your rooms neat and mending your clothes and polishing your armor and quite a lot of things she used to do as a servant but with other responsibilities added, like her Princess Lessons and more."

"I tried to keep all those responsibilities from her," Arthur sighed, "I…I don't want her to have another nightmare."

Merlin was silent at that, only two days ago Marayna had run out of the castle, screaming for HIM, tears streaming down her eyes and just…launched herself at him, crying and sobbing and clutching him. Arthur had nearly jumped out of his skin when he'd seen the state she'd been in, he'd wanted to call practice with the knights early, but he'd quickly told the prince to finish it, that HE would see to his own sister and to find them afterwards. Arthur hadn't been happy…but Merlin was proud of himself for doing so, for standing up to the prince and taking care of his sister.

He did feel guilty though because…they'd told him Marayna had suffered a nightmare…when really, it was quite the opposite.

~8~

Arthur stood before Sir Leon and Elyan as they came before him and the council in the Main Hall, all of it being finished up for the wedding but one last council meeting was being held.

Merlin was standing beside him, much to the chagrin of quite a few members who still thought him a servant, he and Morgana had decided to keep their betrothal a secret till everything with Uther had been sorted. There was too much going on and too much danger and they just…with Morgana being Uther's daughter and everyone aware of it, they were trying to wait for a good moment to announce she too was marrying a former-servant. They knew that, to Uther, Morgana's child would be the next heir to the throne, given what he knew of Marayna, and he would want a nobleman to be her husband, a true nobleman, and she didn't want that. Uther would insist on a noble husband, he'd stop their relationship, he'd find a way to execute Merlin no matter what Arthur or Marayna did to stop him and all it would do was bring back them using magic to save him and it would just be an entire mess. So they were waiting.

Marayna wasn't being forced to attend the meetings just yet, which was likely a good thing as Arthur's uncle, Lord Agravaine, had been in attendance at every single one since he'd arrived…and Marayna hated him. Agravaine had come to Camelot just after Uther's fit, as Ygraine's last brother and Arthur's uncle, he'd insisted on helping the young to-be-king in the place of his father…Marayna, despite Agravaine's best efforts, did NOT like him at all. She didn't know why, she just knew she didn't like him and to trust her instincts about that.

"The reports are true, sire," Leon gave his report, "We caught up with Morgause on the Plains of Denaria."

"Was she alone?" Arthur frowned.

Elyan shook his head, "There was someone else."

"Cenred?"

"Couldn't be sure," Elyan sighed, thinking of the king of the neighboring kingdom that had 'mysteriously' disappeared after invading Camelot last year.

They all knew Morgause had taken him with her, and they all knew she'd only do such a thing (the woman really did strike them as only caring about herself now that her sister had 'betrayed' her) if she thought Cenred still possessed usefulness. He'd heard a groaning coming from a cart Morgause had been pulling, it sounded in pain and weary, a deep weariness, and it had made him feel like Cenred, if it was him, was being kept alive with magic…for what purpose, he didn't know, but he knew it was likely foul given Morgause's nature.

She was going to do something with Cenred, that they knew for sure.

"Where was Morgause heading?" Agravaine called from the shadows, making Merlin roll his eyes, he was rather irritated with the man's dramatics as well.

"To the Seas of Meredor," Leon stated.

"Isle of the Blessed," Gaius gasped.

"I'll send out patrols at first light," Agravaine told Arthur as he finally stepped out of the shadows.

"Thank you, Agravaine," Arthur gave him a nod.

"Sire," Leon stepped forward, "You should know her powers have grown. Sir Bertrand and Sir Wontague are both dead."

"Keep me informed of any developments," he waved his hand and the council all bowed to him, trickling out, save for Merlin and Agravaine, the man seeming a bit irritated that Merlin was still there, but keeping a false smile in place as he knew the boy was Arthur's brother-in-law now and had every right to remain, "For months, nothing. Why now?"

"We knew she couldn't stay hidden forever," Agravaine remarked, "Today, tomorrow, what does it matter? Mustn't live in fear, Arthur. Camelot is strong. If Morgause were to act, we'd be ready for her."

Merlin had to agree there, they would be ready…because Morgana was scrying for the woman every day, keeping an eye on her.

"You're right, of course," Arthur smiled, "I don't know how I'd've got through these last few months without you. Thank you, Uncle."

Agravaine just waved it off, "I made a promise to your mother. I'll always be there for you," he gave Arthur a bow and headed out of the room, Merlin watching him go with a frown.

"Still," Arthur turned to Merlin, "For this night, at least, we can put aside our troubles and fears and offer Lancelot and Guinevere a celebration."

Merlin smiled at that, "So what did you get them as a wedding token?"

"As Prince, I cannot be seen gifting every knight who weds with a token," Arthur shook his head as they headed out of the room, "The Hall and feast are token enough."

"You completely forgot, didn't you?" Merlin guessed.

"A prince never forgets a thing."

"But a Clotpole does," Merlin joked, smirking, "Don't worry, Aya and Gana took care of that."

~8~

The wedding had been lovely, done just as the sun was setting and the stars were rising, Lancelot and Gwen looking like a rather handsome couple in white as they said their vows and exchanged their rings and tokens of love, kissing before their friends and remaining family, before the celebration was moved indoors. Arthur was sitting at a the head of the table, Marayna to his right, Merlin and then Morgana beside her, with Lancelot and Gwen on his left, Agravaine on the other side of the woman, when he stood, a goblet in his hand as the laughter and music and cheers died down.

"Tonight is, I believe, the perfect night for a celebration such as this," Arthur began the speech Morgana had written, "Not only is it the wedding of two of Camelot's own, but it is also Samhain. It is the time of year when we feel closest to the spirits of our ancestors. It is a time to remember those we have lost to celebrate their passing. And it is a time where we revel in being alive and in realizing that, as all things come to an end, new beginnings arise from the ashes. Camelot has faced a dark time, but I believe that this wedding shall serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that there are stronger things than fear and out there," he raised his goblet again, "To the love and union of Lancelot and Guinevere!"

The hall stood quickly, all of them toasting just as a bell tolled.

Merlin, Morgana, and Marayna stiffened at that, hearing the echoing of the bells tolling midnight, and looked around as time seemed to slow around them. Morgana reached out and grabbed Merlin's hand, gasping as she looked at him, never having experienced something like this before. Marayna stiffened, her hand reaching out to rest on Merlin's other arm, knowing that if the three of them could remain connected, they'd be stronger.

They could hear the cheers slowing, everyone's voices and toasts starting to distort.

Morgana squeezed Merlin's hand tightly, making him look at her to see her staring at something with wide eyes and looked ahead, Marayna doing so as well, to see an old woman in black that appeared nearly dead, holding a staff and standing in the middle of the hall.

She was staring at them.

'Emyrs…' they heard in their heads, 'Reesa…Morgana…'

Morgana swallowed hard, never having been included in something like that before, and when she pointed at them…Morgana screamed…

Because Marayna had collapsed to the ground, Arthur rushing to her side instantly as Merlin leapt to catch her, the entire hall falling silent before a commotion arose at how the princess had fainted.

~8~

"Please don't tell me…" Marayna groaned as she slowly came around to feel herself in hers and Arthur's chambers, "That I fainted."

Merlin, who was sitting beside her, chuckled, "You did."

She blinked a bit and opened her eyes, "What happened?"

"I don't know," he swallowed, "None of us do. I…you, me and Morgana, we saw that woman and…she pointed at us and then you were on the ground and she was gone and…"

Marayna squeezed his hand as it held hers, "You're cold…"

"So are you," Merlin told her, "Gaius said he'd never felt anyone so cold before till he checked me and Gana as well. He gave us all Hawthorne to improve the blood flow. And blankets," he gestured to the one around his shoulders, "Lots of blankets."

She nodded, seeing more blankets on her than normal, the fire going in the fireplace, "And Arthur?"

"He's seeing to Gana," Merlin told her, "I was just with her but she told me to make sure you were alright, I was coming to see you anyway and Arthur said he'd stay with her while I looked after you for a bit."

She smiled at that, she was…pleased, to see that Arthur and Morgana were exploring their sibling-bond now. It was truly one of her most treasured ties and she was so thrilled Arthur and Morgana got to experience it as well, "I didn't ruin the party did I?"

He laughed a bit at that, "The Crown Princess collapse out of nowhere? No, of course no one was disturbed or fretting at all."

She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, "Is Gwen ok?"

"She was ready to call it a night after the actual ceremony," Merlin reminded her, "She's worried about you, and Gana and I, but she's a little thankful it put an end to the festivities, I think. She's never liked being the center of attention."

"Does uncle know what happened?"

"I told him about the woman," he nodded, "He couldn't see her, something about us being more powerful in our magic than most and Morgana's visions allowing us to see her. I told him what she looked like, sounded like," his voice cracked, her voice and eyes…they were so sad and pained, "He said she was the Cailleach, the um…gatekeeper to the spirit world."

"And she just happened to show up at midnight on Samhain's Eve?" she shook her head, "It was Morgause, wasn't it? She's torn the veil between the worlds."

Merlin nodded, "That's exactly what Gaius thinks…and Aya…" he squeezed her hand, "It's not good at all."

~8~

Arthur…had not exactly been happy the next morning. Merlin had come to get him after Marayna awoke, only to return to the bedchambers and find that she'd fallen back asleep though she was warmer than before. He'd been scared out of his mind when she'd just collapsed like that, but Gaius had assured him she was fine, that it was likely just everything coming together and getting to her, that if she rested she'd be just fine again. He'd gone to get her breakfast that morning, wanting to surprise her…only for Leon to interrupt him just as he was about to wake her, to tell him he was needed in the council room urgently.

He'd hated to leave his wife still sleeping, knowing that for urgent matters she did like to be there beside him, but…he didn't want to do anything to risk her health and he was starting to realize just how stressful the last year had to have been on her for her to just faint…Marayna NEVER fainted. So he'd gone to the Main Hall, and he'd spoken to a young woman, Drea, who claimed her entire village had been attacked, her family murdered…by shapes. Creatures that had no faces, moved so fast they were like living shadows, and killed them all.

The village was Howden, fairly close, and he'd decided to ride out with his men to look into it…but they'd have to leave immediately, and Marayna was still sleeping…which was also quite odd and very worrying. She'd been sleeping a bit later, he'd noticed, but not this late. He hadn't wanted to go, not wanting to leave her till she woke and he knew she was well again, but he'd had to, he had a duty to his people and he knew she'd understand…kill him later for it, but understand in the end.

Morgana, who had been at the Hall with Merlin, both of them faring better than Marayna, had offered to keep a watch on Marayna, tend to her till he returned, and Merlin said he would be joining the man, to keep watch on HIM till they returned…which had made him roll his eyes but feel slightly better that Marayna was alright. If MERLIN was going with him instead of staying by his sister, then it couldn't have been as bad a situation as he feared.

It WAS a little irritating though, how Merlin had seemed to flinch at every little noise that went off around them, a twig cracking, a woodpecker, a horse, but he assumed it was just the boy's nerves actually starting to get to him about his sister. Merlin calmed somewhat as they reached the village that they'd been heading for, only to find it eerily quiet, too quiet, deadly quiet. And in fact it was, everyone was dead.

Elyan had found them, inside one of the houses, corpses just…lying there, their skin blue, frost over all of them, their eyes and mouths open wide in fright.

The small group spun around when they heard something whip past them, "You saw it?" Arthur looked at his men.

"We are literally chasing shadows," Gwaine murmured, recalling what Drea had said as he'd seen nothing move that could make that noise.

"Come on," Arthur led them on, out of the house to search the rest of the village. It had taken them the better part of the day to get there, forcing them to rely on torches in the dark.

It was unsettling to Merlin especially as he knew better than most that shadows thrived in the dark. He looked over when he heard a door shut in the barn and headed over, jumping back when a chicken jumped out. He let out a breath of relief at that…only for something to shriek unnaturally behind him and spun around to see some sort of wisp of white fly out of the barn. He ran after it, hearing it shrieking…but it disappeared.

"Leoht," he murmured as he glanced around, making a light in his hand…but it faded quickly. He frowned, "Leoht," he tried again, but it shown for even less, "Leoht!" he cried and this time nothing happened at all. He gasped, spinning around as he heard the screaming shriek behind him and saw the wisp heading right for him, "Fleoh nu on moras!" he shouted, "Fleoh nu on moras!"

He could feel his eyes glow…but nothing happened.

"Merlin!" Gwaine appeared having heard him calling out, and waved his torch at the wisp, sending it fleeing back, "What happened?"

Merlin looked at him, alarmed, "My magic...I couldn't use it."

Gwaine looked shocked at that, one of the few people, besides Lancelot who had not been called in as it was his wedding night, who knew about the magic of Merlin and the others. He quickly shook his head and turned to Arthur as the others ran over, having heard him shouting, "There's something out there!" he warned them instead.

"You saw it?" Arthur asked.

"Aye," he nodded, "It fled from the torch though."

"It scared the horses," Elyan informed them.

"I…I don't think it's something you can chase or something you can kill," Merlin whispered.

Arthur spun around, hearing the shrieking echo behind them in the darkness, "We need to get out of here," he decided, realizing that not only was Elyan, Gwen's brother there, but Merlin, Marayna's brother and Morgana's betrothed…he needed to make sure they were safe at the very least, along with himself, Leon, and Gwaine.

~8~

Marayna had not exactly been happy when she'd woken that morning either, having come around just as the knights and Arthur and Merlin were leaving the gate. She'd been FUMING that they'd run off without her there to help but Morgana had forced her to remember that she had collapsed, she wasn't well enough to go after them at the moment, she was still a little colder than was safe.

She'd managed to warm up throughout the day though and had just started to feel like her old self when dusk fell…only for something that looked like a white, shrieking mist to attack Camelot. Hundreds of thousands of people ran for the castle, her and Morgana ordering the gates be open to take the refugees in and try to protect them, Morgana quickly rushing to help Gaius tend the wounded as they poured in.

She had learned only two things that night, the wisps that had skulls on the ends of them were afraid of fire and her magic was utterly useless against them. She'd tried to summon fire to her hands, like she had with Nimueh, but hadn't been able to. So…she'd grabbed a torch off a sconce and brandished it at the wisp as it came after her, not about to go down without a fight, and sent it flying off.

It was useful to know not to waste her efforts on her magic and to carry a torch with her, but she was more worried about her brother and Arthur. She could feel it inside her, what the wisp had made her feel, an emptiness, a powerlessness, a pressure on her chest like she couldn't breathe, and she hoped it wasn't the same for Merlin if he encountered one. It was…not a nice feeling.

But she took comfort in knowing that they were stronger than that. They'd felt powerless before, they'd felt empty, and they'd felt so scared they couldn't breathe before…but as long as they were together, they knew they could face it.

And so, when her brother had returned, she'd hugged him extra tight, sensing in his returning hug that he HAD felt exactly the same, and realized the very same as well.

Whatever these wisps were, they were going to take them all out. No one endangered their friends and family.

~8~

Marayna, Merlin, and Morgana joined Arthur and Gaius in Agravaine's chambers the next morning after Arthur had insisted they all eat breakfast. Marayna had wanted to get right to the reports from the attack, about to skip breakfast when Arthur ordered her to eat, saying HE would go get the report, which she refused to let happen, so he'd compromised, they both ate and then they both went to get the report. She wasn't happy it was in Agravaine's chambers, but she wanted to know what the damage was as much as Arthur did.

"We've suffered fifty dead, maybe more," Agravaine stated, "Mainly in the Lower Town."

"And there's no way of fighting them?" Arthur frowned.

"No, our only weapons are torches. And the light doesn't kill them, it only repels them."

"Uncle thinks he may know what they are," Marayna offered.

Gaius nodded and stepped forward, "They're Dorocha, sire. The spirits of the dead. On Samhain's Eve in the time of the Old Religion, the High Priestesses would perform a blood sacrifice and release them."

Marayna's jaw clenched at that as Merlin took her hand, working out what had happened. Morgause, clearly still parading around as the High Priestess, had likely sacrificed Cenred to whatever it was that allowed the Dorocha to escape. Well, at least they knew one enemy was down for the count.

"But who'd do such a thing now?" Agravaine breathed, seemingly stunned, though the trio of magic-users knew he was nothing of the sort.

"Morgause has claimed herself to be the High Priestess," Gaius stated.

Arthur frowned at that, for a single moment…he felt like that was wrong, like Morgause couldn't be the High Priestess, but he shook his head, he knew nothing about how the Old Religion worked, who was he to say whether she was or wasn't? "You see her hand in this?"

"We know she was travelling to the Isle of the Blessed," Gaius supplied.

"How do we defeat these creatures?"

"I don't know, sire. No mortal has ever survived their touch."

'Do those with magic count as mortal?' Morgana wondered to Merlin and Marayna, knowing that their abilities almost made them not quite mortal. But they knew what she was asking, both if they'd be safe in facing the Dorocha, but also if THEY could put an end to their terror.

Unfortunately, they couldn't say.

~8~

Merlin held Morgana in his arms that night as they tried to get some sort of sleep, even if their magic was useless against the Dorocha, their minds weren't. They had a well of magical knowledge and they knew they could work out how to stop all this…they just needed rest and thought.

He tightened his arms around Morgana, feeling her flinch as they heard the cry of the Dorocha outside, "It'll be alright Gana," he murmured in her ear, moving his hand to brush her hair behind it, "I won't ever let them get you."

"That's what I'm afraid of," she looked up at him, "You and Rayna, you worry about everyone else but yourselves. Merlin," tears filled her eyes, "I don't want to see you hurt trying to protect me."

He smiled at her, "I don't want to see you hurt either, but that won't happen," he promised, "The Dorocha won't harm us."

"How can you be sure?"

"Aya's the true High Priestess and favors conjuring firefiends, I'm a Dragon Lord, and you're a natural Healer," she stared at him, "We all have a natural talent for fire and I doubt they'd risk seeing what our true potential is like," he leaned in and kissed her, "I don't doubt for a second that if one of us was truly in danger, that the other wouldn't be able to conjure magic more powerful than the Dorocha. It's happened before."

Morgana closed her eyes, recalling quite a few instances of that, "I suppose it's a good thing I'm a Healer then."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I actually…I like to think of you as a phoenix, my firebird."

Her eyes opened as she looked up at him, "Truly?"

He nodded, "Gana…you have faced as many trials as Aya and I have, you've lived with Uther and his tyranny, and you've held strong in the face of temptation, you've stayed true to who you are and you've kept yourself from falling into the darkness," he shook his head, "You, more than anyone I know, are so like a phoenix. You rise from the ashes of things that would tear you down and you grow stronger each time."

"I think we're all a bit like a phoenix," she murmured, smiling at him, "This…" she glanced at the window, "This will be just another challenge for all of us to rise above."

"Sleep," he whispered, "I won't let anything happen to you."

"Nor I you," she gave him a pointed look, the two of them closing their eyes…though neither slept as they kept alert so as to protect the other should the Dorocha attack.

~8~

Merlin, Morgana, and Marayna found themselves in the Main Hall the next morning, watching as Arthur discussed the situation with Gaius and Agravaine.

"They're coming from across the kingdom," Gaius informed the Prince, "They're looking to Camelot for protection."

"And we will give it to them," Arthur decided.

Agravaine, though, shook his head, "We cannot house them all."

"Oh yes, we can," Marayna stepped to her husband's side, "And we will."

"How?" he scoffed, making Marayna narrow her eyes at him, "We cannot live like this forever."

"So we find a way to stop the Dorocha," Morgana said simply.

Arthur nodded at her, making Agravaine narrow his eyes this time, "Somewhere in all your books, Gaius, there must be something. All I'm asking for is a way to fight them."

"I fear the Dorocha cannot be defeated by swords and arrows, sire," Gaius sighed, "If I am right, and the veil between the worlds is torn, then there's only one path open to us. To travel to the Isle of the Blessed and repair it."

"And how do I do that?"

"How do WE do that," Marayna corrected, indicating the group of them, even if hers and Merlin's magic was useless, they could still help.

"No…" Merlin moved over to her, "How do WE," he gestured at himself and Arthur, instead of her and Arthur and him, "Do that?"

"Merlin!" Marayna huffed, seeming about to stomp her foot at him for him denying her to come with them.

"Aya," he reached out and took her hand, looking at her meaningfully, "You collapsed only the other day," he reminded her, "I think even Arthur would risk your ire to tell you we cannot risk that happening again. Not with the Dorocha around."

Arthur sighed, "He's right Mara," he told her solemnly, "I…I need you to remain here."

"Arthur…" she began more softly than before, "I can help."

"I know," he smiled, "But your help is better here. You've been asking to help me for…months and I have refused. I apologize for that, but now I DO need your help, but I need it to be HERE, in Camelot. I need you to…to rule as Regent till I return."

Marayna blinked at that, not quite sure why he was suddenly so ready for her to go from hardly any responsibilities to taking care of the kingdom…until she realized this was truly a serious matter to him, "You cannot be serious."

"I am," he stepped over to her, taking Merlin's place and taking her hand, his finger moving over a ring she wore, a ring he'd had made for her when she'd been Crowned the Princess of Camelot officially, not just unofficially through their marriage but when his father had had his fit, he'd known she needed a more solid standing among the court and had organized a small coronation to have her as the Crown Princess from then on. The ring had the royal seal on it, it meant that she would assume the throne if anything happened to him or to his father...though he hadn't quite told her that just yet, nor did he want to, he wanted to believe he'd be coming back to her, "I need you to do this for me, as my wife, as the princess. I need you to watch over OUR people, while I go forward to protect them."

Marayna swallowed, "I don't how to rule as Princess."

"I'll help," Morgana offered, "I should stay here as well," she glanced at Merlin, "Help Gaius with the wounded, there are still far too many to treat on his own. I can help you in any way you require."

Marayna sighed but nodded, "I'll stay then."

"Thank you," Arthur whispered, leaning in to kiss her, resting his head to her forehead in thanks.

"Rayna," Gaius called, "Could you and Morgana see to that now?" he asked, "I need a count of those who need immediate attention. And it would be good for the people to see their princess among them."

Marayna gave him an odd look before Morgana gestured her to go with her as the two headed out the door to see to the wounded.

"Why did you send her away Gaius?" Merlin looked at his uncle, knowing him all too well.

"I fear what I have to say may upset her more," Gaius stated, looking at Arthur and Merlin, "And would have her refuse to remain in Camelot."

"What is it?" Arthur frowned.

"For the tear to be created would've required a blood sacrifice. To seal…will require another."

Arthur nodded, understanding now why he'd asked Marayna to leave the room, "We ride before nightfall."

"And who will be the sacrifice?"

"If laying down my life will spare the people of Camelot, then that is what I must do."

Merlin closed his eyes at that…Marayna was going to kill him…or Arthur…or both of them for this because he knew, his destiny was to help protect Arthur and if it meant taking his place as sacrifice...he would gladly do it if it meant saving Camelot and his sister and his love from the Dorocha. But it hurt so badly, because he knew it would also mean his sister would either lose a brother or a husband, the same for Morgana, no matter what happened.

~8~

As the Knights of Camelot mounted their horses, Arthur looked up from where he was already on his, Merlin beside him, up at the battlements where he could see Marayna watching them go, he could swear he could see her blue eyes even from there. He pressed a finger to his lips and held his hand up to her, seeing her lift her hand in goodbye as well.

He turned to Merlin, "Are you ready?" he asked.

Merlin nodded, "It was an honor to serve as your servant, and stand as your brother," he told the man, not seeing Lancelot looking at him oddly from behind, the knight, having got word of their quest, insisted on coming despite being newly married.

"Lancelot," the man looked over as the knights began to leave, to see Gwen approaching.

"Gwen," he smiled at her, leaning down to take her hand.

"Will you grant me a favor?" she asked him.

"Anything."

She blinked, tears in her eyes, "Come back," she whispered, "Please come back and…" she looked at Arthur and Merlin, "Make sure they do as well. I…" she swallowed, "I was coming to ask Gaius about the wounded, if he needed help and I heard them speaking. Arthur plans to sacrifice himself to stop those creatures."

Lancelot stiffened, Merlin's words hitting him now, "And Merlin will endeavor to take his place."

Gwen nodded, "Please," she whispered, "Help them find some other way to see the creatures vanquished."

He nodded, smiling down at his wife…oh his wife, that was…lovely to think, "I swear to you Gwen, I will do everything in my power to see everyone safe and the creatures stopped. I love you Guinevere," he leaned over more to give her one final kiss.

"Thank you," she pressed her forehead to his a moment, "Be safe."

He nodded, smiling at her as he straightened and rode on, his smile starting to fade into a determined line as he watched Merlin and Arthur ride ahead.

~8~

It had been a long, oddly silent ride, to try and get to a resting spot before it grew dark. Lancelot had kept watch on Arthur and Merlin, he'd seen Gwaine doing the same and had spoken to him about it though. He'd learned that apparently Merlin's magic didn't work against the creatures, which had alarmed him, but both men knew better than to try and convince him to leave the quest. That boy would protect Arthur till he drew his last breath and that was what worried them. So they'd made a silent pact to protect Merlin (and Arthur) no matter the cost.

They'd nearly had a close call with the Dorocha though, having arrived at a set of ruins and tried to gather firewood to build a fire and protect themselves. They'd nearly gotten nabbed by the creature, but escaped, been able to build a firepit but it wasn't enough to get them through the night, they all knew. So they'd had to collect more, Arthur and Merlin, of course, being the ones to insist on going and then insist on going together.

Unfortunately, as was the luck of the Pendragons, a Dorocha had attacked, forcing Arthur to drop his torch that he'd been using for protection to tackle Merlin to the ground, out of the way…and off a wall of the ruins. He'd pulled the former-servant up and ran off, through the passages that were left in the ruins, trying to find a place to hide, a place that might have a torch they could light to get back to the others. It seemed they'd been successful…partially, they'd lost the Dorocha for the moment, but there was no torch in sight.

Arthur shifted as they hid, listening for the shrieks to try and determine if they should make a run for it, "It's cold."

"Right," Merlin muttered, too distracted by listening to really pay attention to what Arthur was saying.

"You're not feeling it?" Arthur eyed him, but Merlin just shrugged, "You know, Merlin, you're braver than I give you credit for."

"Really?" Merlin looked over and Arthur rolled his eyes, of course THAT would be what got through to him, "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't be stupid," he nudged Merlin, making him chuckle…which died out as they heard one of the shrieks, the two of them falling quiet till it faded, "All the things I've faced...I never worried about dying."

"I don't think you should now," Merlin remarked, "You've got Aya to live for after all."

"Like you do Morgana," Arthur countered, the two men exchanging a look.

"Then you shouldn't sacrifice yourself," Merlin told him.

"Nor should you."

Merlin blinked, "You…fathomed that out?"

"I may be a prince Merlin, but…" Arthur hesitated, "I've come to see us as…friends."

"Brothers?" Merlin grinned cheekily.

"Don't push it," Arthur warned mockingly, not quite about to say it out loud, "I know how you and your sister get…what you'd do to see me safe. You both seem to have a one-track mind when it comes to that."

"Yeah," Merlin winced.

"I'll not have you sacrifice yourself for me."

"And I'll not have you sacrifice yourself and break my sister's heart," Merlin sent her a look, "You've done enough of that in the past. DON'T make the future the same."

Arthur let out a breath, "Then what do we do, if we shall not allow the other to be the needed sacrifice?"

Merlin shrugged, "Make it up as we go and hope there's another way?" he sighed and looked at Arthur seriously, "We will defeat the Dorocha. We will, Arthur, together."

"Well, I appreciate that," Arthur chuckled, "You know, you're a brave man, Merlin. Between battles."

Merlin rolled his eyes, feeling just a tiny bit irritated at the Blood Magic, they'd learned rather quickly Arthur hadn't just forgotten Marayna's magic, but his as well, every single thing they'd told him about what they'd done for Camelot and for him just…gone.

"You don't know how many times Aya and I have saved your life," Merlin muttered.

"If I ever become king, I'm gonna have you made court jester," he nudged the man in jest, quieting as they heard the Dorocha again, "They say the darkest hour is just before the dawn," he commented.

"Feels pretty dark right now," Merlin agreed.

"Well, it can't be long then," Arthur tried to lighten the situation…only for a Dorocha to come flying through the door, right at them, having found them. Arthur turned, about to rush around a corner and lead the Dorocha off…when Merlin pulled him back, shoving him down as HE leapt out of the spot himself, running at the Dorocha to give him time to escape, "Merlin, no!" he shouted.

But it was too late, Merlin jumped at the Dorocha, the spirit sailing through him…

~8~

In Camelot, Marayna stopped suddenly in where she was pacing in the Main Hall before the thrones, the only one in the room, as her heart stopped and her breath caught in her throat.

"Merlin…" she breathed, turning around, about to race out of the room…when she stopped dead when she caught sight of something…

~8~

The Dorocha caught Merlin in the chest, throwing him back against a wall just as the knights entered, having felt Arthur and Merlin were too long away. Lancelot ran forward with his torch, waving it at the Dorocha and sending it away before he handed it to Percival and looked at Arthur.

"What happened?" Lancelot frowned.

Arthur just shook his head and ran out to the hall, to Merlin as he lay prone on the ground. Gwaine rushed over as well, helping him turn Merlin onto his back…the boy's eyes wide in fear, his skin frosted over, just like the corpses…

To be continued...

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter, the first for the new story :) I'm very excited for MANY things coming in this particular story ^-^ I really can't wait to get to some of the twists that are coming and see how Morgana fairs in being on the side of good this time around ;)

Some notes on reviews...(from the end of Burning)...

Yup, we'll get another reveal, but I can say it'll be...FAR more epic than in the last story ;)

Arthur may possibly regain his memories when Uther dies, or at least it'll be easier for him to regain them }:) I can say there'll be a bit of a snag in the magic-accpeting process, but Arthur will quickly make up for it ;) Morgana's magic helped a little to protect her, but it was mostly Kilgharrah's forethought to help keep her safe from the affects of the Memory Spell :) I think for Arthur it's more that while he was conceived using magic, he himself wasn't quite magical so it wouldn't protect him like that :)