Hi there!

It's been a while... almost two years, in fact. But I'm going through a strange period of post-Merlin depression, and decided to add a long awaited chapter to this story. I'm actually really curious as to whether anyone will read this, since it's been so long. Feel free to go back and catch up if you've forgotten what's happened so far. I had to read it again myself.

Also, you may have noticed that I've changed my pen name... I was previously known as 'merlinismylife'. Don't worry, I'm still the same person.

So, this is chapter 20 and I really hope you like it. If I get a positive response to this, I'll do my best to finish the story. Thanks for reading xxxx

...

"Emrys"

Merlin took a threatening step towards Morgana, and the sorceress stumbled back, her wide eyes never leaving those of her 'doom'. Agravaine, startled into action, jumped and scampered out of the way of the two powerful magic users as quickly as possible, only to be intercepted by Elyan and Percival, who stopped gaping at Merlin just in time to grab the pathetic man and prevent him from escaping.

Meanwhile, while Morgana was distracted, Arthur managed to roll onto his stomach, panting, and lifted himself to his feet. He stumbled on unsteady legs towards the edge of the clearing, intending to catch his breath and get as far as possible from the impending magical battle. He reached the trees and sunk to the floor, leaning his back against one.

Morgana had called the old man – the sorcerer who had killed Arthur's father – Emrys. But, Merlin was Emrys… wasn't he? Hadn't he just revealed his identity as a powerful warlock to the entire court mere hours ago? Arthur's confused thoughts were interrupted when Leon skidded to a halt on his knees beside him, scattering leaves all over the king.

"Sire!" he exclaimed, not in the least but concerned when Arthur sent him a glare, brushing the leaves from his armor. Gwaine was right behind him, looking concernedly down at Arthur. "Are you okay?"

"Just fine, Leon. What the hell is going on? Where's Merlin?" he looked around, as though hoping to see the absent warlock.

"Arthur", Leon started, grabbing the king's elbow and pulling them both to their feet. He indicated the old sorcerer. "That is Merlin".

Not willing to believe it, Arthur looked over his knight's shoulder at the man facing Morgana. The old, crinkled eyes – so much like Merlin's – looked straight back at him, before the aged head dropped into a single nod. Arthur had to bite back a gasp. No - he didn't know that Merlin was the one responsible for his father's death. He remembered what Gaius said – that 'Dragoon' had not intended for his father to die. And Merlin was no evil sorcerer. True, Arthur had only just found out about his magic, and he had been lying to him for about six years, but this was Merlin, he doubted Merlin would do something like that, even to a man that he should hate. Arthur gave a nod in return, knowing that once this was over, he would get the full story.

"Come on", Gwaine said, cutting through Arthur's musings. "We're not safe here – let's get behind Merlin". They kept to the cover of the trees, somewhat surprised when Morgana didn't stop them. Arthur looked over his shoulder at the sorceress, noticing for the first time the fear in her eyes as she looked at the figure before her. Arthur wondered what that was all about. But then he remembered what the book had said, namely that Emrys was 'a magical being more powerful than the world has ever known', and realized where that fear probably originated from. He wouldn't want to be on Merlin's bad side, either.

"So, Emrys…" Morgana stepped towards Merlin, a scowl overriding the shock on her face, "we finally meet".

"Oh, we've met before, Morgana". Merlin ignored the shocked expression sent his way. "Several times, in fact"

"Impossible", the sorceress countered. "I've only seen you once before, and even then we were not introduced"

"Lucky for you, I'm sure"

Morgana's scowl deepened and she held up a hand, fingers slightly spread. "You will not be my doom, Emrys!" she shouted, and that was all the warning Merlin got before she unleashed her first spell. "Blinn du, forlæt du nu!"

He was almost knocked off his feet with the force of the blast, but managed to get a shield up in plenty of time.

"Forp fleoge!" Merlin countered, thrusting his staff forward. Morgana darted out of the way, the spell catching the hem of her dress and setting it alight. She hurriedly put out the flames with golden eyes and a spurt of water, looking back up at Merlin – Emrys – with a glare of even greater intensity than before.

"Forbearne! Akwele!" she shrieked. A burning ball of fire formed in her outstretched hand. Morgana smirked and threw it in Merlin's direction with all her might, immediately conjuring another and throwing it after the first. Merlin flung his staff aside and easily caught both, the flames not burning him even as he held them, one in each hand. He put his palms together, the sphere's of fire combining and doubling in size. Without hesitation, he launched the fireball at the sorceress. Morgana's eyes widened in fear, a flimsy shield forming before her that was unable to completely block the powerful blast. Fire burned through Morgana's barrier, and she screamed in pain as it contacted her right hand, travelling up her arm all the way to her shoulder, burning her pale flesh as it went.

"Astrice!" she shouted in a desperate attempt to defend herself, her face screwed up in agony as she held her uninjured arm towards her target. Merlin raised his hand and absorbed the spell, but didn't see the blast of pure energy coming for him until it was too late.

The old sorcerer was thrown back violently, his side burning from where the hurriedly aimed spell had struck him. The blast had sliced cleanly through his flesh, ripping his shirt, which was fast becoming soaked with blood. Holding a hand to the wound he looked to Morgana, who had fallen to the forest floor clutching her injured arm close to her body, the effort of her last spell having forced her to the ground.

Getting slowly to his feet, Merlin began to chant, his voice filled with a power he had never known before.

"Ic her accigie ænne windraes! Færblæd waw! Windræs ungetermed, ge hier! Ic de bebeod mid ealle strangesse daet du geblawest ond syrmest strange! Gespurn peos haegtesse!"

A strong whirlwind came into existence around Morgana, who raised her good hand in a futile attempt to stop it. Leaves strewn across the forest floor became caught up in the powerful winds, the branches of the surrounding trees in danger of snapping all around them. Merlin squinted through the chaos.

Limbs flailing, Morgana was flung high into the air, before being tossed roughly to the ground a fair distance from where she started. The powerful winds died slowly and the forest returned to its original calm state, to reveal the sorceress slumped at the base of a tree - unmoving.

Merlin stood panting, his breath coming in rasps after all the energy he had used. He looked down slowly to his injured side, vaguely noticing that his hand was covered with blood and that his shirt was thoroughly soaked through. Before he even realized it, he had sunk to his knees and fallen onto his side, too exhausted to support his own weight any longer.

"Merlin!"

Suddenly there were faces above him – three faces to be precise. Merlin peered up at them through blurred vision, One, near his head, had long dark hair that was falling into his eyes and an unshaven face. Gwaine, he decided. Another had dirty blonde hair - not quite as long as the first man's but long enough to get in the way - and the third, on the other side of his head, was a startling blonde.

"Arthur", Merlin rasped, looking up at his closest friend. "Arthur, I'm sorry!"

"Merlin, you're hurt-"

"I didn't kill your father, Arthur. You have to believe me! There was an amulet – Morgana made it – and-"

"Merlin, that's enough. I believe you".

Merlin nodded weakly and closed his eyes.

"Oh no, you don't", a new voice said, and Merlin recognized it was Gwaine speaking from his other side. "Stay with us, Merlin". The warlock opened his eyes with difficulty. He was really tired.

"Can you change yourself back?" another voice asked, and Merlin realized that the second head with dirty blonde and curly hair belonged to Leon.

"Back?"

"Into yourself" the knight confirmed.

Merlin frowned, as far as he knew he was himself. He certainly felt like himself, besides the horrible burning sensation in his side and the annoying stiffness in his entire body. Oh!

"No. I'm stuck"

"Stuck?" Arthur asked incredulously. Merlin nodded feebly in reply.

"I don't have my potion", he admitted, watching as the knights exchanged confused looks above him.

"Right, then. We need to get you back to Camelot. You're losing a lot of blood".

Merlin groaned as he was hoisted into the air by several pairs of strong arms, his old body protesting at the unsteady movement.

"Gwaine, Leon, check on Morgana" Arthur's voice carried to him from somewhere above his head. "We can't take any chances… we'll bring her back to Camelot with us. Elyan, get Agravaine onto a horse, see to it that he won't escape".

With that they started moving, Merlin's aged figure complaining with every step the men carrying him took. He told Arthur so.

"Serves you right, for willingly turning yourself into a cranky old man". There was a pause. "Why'd you do it, anyway?"

"Morgana can't know that I'm Emrys", Merlin replied simply. He was well aware that this didn't fully answer the question, but couldn't seem to muster up the energy to do so properly right now anyway. Movement stopped, and then he was being gently settled onto a horse - a pained gasp escaping his lips at the change of position. Someone tied the reigns of his horse to their own, and the odd procession set off through the forest, headed back to Camelot.