The Diamond of the Day (Part 2)

As Merlin and Mordred rode through the forests as quickly as they could, Marayna stood on a small boulder overlooking the battle, watching as Arthur and the knights attacked the Saxons. Morgause had sorely underestimated Arthur and his men, his people, and his willingness to do what had to be done to save his kingdom. That was always her greatest flaw though, wasn't it, overconfidence. She honestly believed that neither Arthur nor his men would allow magic-users into the ranks of knights, well, not knights per say, more just soldiers in the battle. But they had. There were Druids behind her, tending to the wounded with Gaius, there were Catha before her, fighting as they'd been trained, using their skills and magic to help the knights. It was still difficult, even with their magic, the Saxons outnumbered them 5 to one and she knew that Morgause had likely only sent a portion of her men to this battle, she could count about 3 for every knight, so that meant part of the army was still in waiting somewhere.

She was trying not to think on that though and focus on the battle at hand, she could see some magic users like Kara among the ranks of the Saxons, using their magic to counter the Catha, she could see Morgause herself offering her magic to help as well...so she did the same. She sent waves of magic out, created as good of shields as she could though she knew Merlin's were better, and did all she could try and protect the knights while still helping to fight from a distance. She knew that staying where she was was all that was keeping Arthur from fretting about her, and the Saxons she'd knock out before they could strike him, reassuring him that she was still alive and well.

She looked up, ducking down as something swooped over her and Aithusa flew past, breathing fire at the soldiers below. She quickly threw out her hands, hoping that she could keep the soldiers safe...when a MUCH stronger shield went up around every single Camelot knight. She spun around to see a bolder across from her, her brother standing on top of it, his arms up, his eyes flashing.

"Merlin!" she cried, so relieved, looking down to see Mordred still on his horse, racing towards the battle to help, "Mordred."

"Aya!" Merlin nodded towards the battle. She turned and spotted Saxons starting to surround Arthur, before she threw her arms out blasting them back moments before a blast of lightning struck down at another group that was trying to get at him in his distraction of the first attack being disturbed, Merlin's doing the second time. Arthur spun around and held Excalibur up at them before he turned back to the fight.

The siblings stood above the battle, swearing they could probably hear Morgause screaming obscenities at them on the other side of the field. They focused on the soldiers though, using their respective abilities and strengths, Marayna offensively, Merlin defensively, fighting and protecting as they went.

"NO!" they could hear Morgause screeching.

"Aya," Merlin smirked at her, "I think she needs to take another trip again!"

"My pleasure," she grinned, swing her arm out and throwing Morgause off the small cliff she'd been standing on, sending her falling down into the dead that were scattered at the base of it, "But Merlin," she glanced at him, "Aithusa!"

Merlin looked up as the white Dragon began to swoop down once more, "Nun de ge dei s'eikein kai emois epe'essin hepesthai!" he shouted up to the Dragon as he saw the mouth opening to breathe fire, stopping the attack, "Weas!" he commanded and Aithusa stopped the attack and turned to fly off.

"For the love of Camelot!" they could hear Arthur shouting, raising Excalibur to lead a new charge against the Saxons, finally starting to gain the advantage, driving what was left of the Saxons off.

"Come on," Merlin jumped off his boulder and ran over to Marayna, holding out a hand to help her down as they ran for what was left of the battle, needing to see if they could help any that had fallen, transport them to the healing tents, take care of the last few Saxons that might be too close to retreat with the others. They headed for Arthur along the way, knowing that the Saxons would be more keen to find him than the other knights, HE would be the one they'd be more likely to target.

"ARTHUR!" they heard Mordred shout and turned to see Arthur was only to see the vision that Merlin and Morgana had seen play out before them. Arthur had knelt by a fallen knight, and been attack from behind, he'd been startled and slashed at, sending him to his knees. And there was Mordred...running through the field, heading right for his king, quickly lifting his blade to block a fatal blow coming at the king, fighting to defend the fallen man before throwing his arm out and blasting him back with magic.

"Arthur!" Merlin and Marayna ran for him as well, dropping to their knees beside Arthur as the other knights took care of the remaining Saxons.

"Arthur?" Marayna reached out and touched his face, the man half supported in Mordred's arms, all of them were so relieved that the Druid hadn't been the one to strike him down but, looking at the fallen man Mordred had blasted back, they could see a Druid tattoo on his arm too. That prophecy had been fulfilled it seemed, but they refused to allow Arthur to die from this.

"Mara?" Arthur slowly looked over at her, taking her hand, "You look lovely."

She laughed at that, "And you look horrible," she told him bluntly, "I'm thinking we should make red illegal instead of blue," she joked, remarking on what he'd said when Rosaline was born, "It looks terrible on you."

He nearly laughed but coughed and winced, "Are you ok?" he looked at her, concerned.

"Fine," she nodded, squeezing his hand.

"Merlin?" he looked at the man.

"I've got my magic back," Merlin said, though that was quite obvious given that he'd been helping in the battle.

"Good, good," he nodded, before looking at Mordred, "And you saved me."

Mordred nodded, "I would NEVER harm you sire."

Arthur smiled, "That's brother to you."

"Ok," Marayna swallowed, "We need to get you to the healing tents, you've lost a bit too much blood," she tried to tease at how he was telling Mordred to call him brother, something he only seemed to do when he was loopy or enchanted or out of it.

The three magic-users joined hands and Arthur was transported with them, leaving the battle in a swirl of dust and wind.

~8~

Arthur slowly woke to find himself in a small tent of his own, Merlin, Morgana, and Mordred there, Gaius tending to the bandages around his chest, Leon giving a report to them, "The battle is won," Leon was saying, "The Saxons are in full retreat. They're making for the hills. I've dispatched 200 men to drive our advantage home."

"It won't be enough," Marayna shook her head, "The reports from Gwaine and Percival said that we're outnumbered 5 to 1, that battle was little more than half their army. They've still got soldiers waiting for us."

"Brilliant," Merlin muttered, rubbing his head.

"Sire," Mordred looked over, spotting Arthur had woken.

Marayna was at his side in an instant, kneeling next to his small cot, taking his hand, "How are you feeling?"

He tried to sit up but Merlin rushed forward to stop him, "Don't, trust us...just don't."

"Why do I hurt?" Arthur winced at that, "Were the healers harmed?"

The small group looked at each other solemnly, before looking at Arthur, "I'm sorry," Mordred whispered, "I failed you sire. I thought I was in time, I thought I could reach you before you were struck...my magic and myself weren't fast enough."

Arthur frowned, looking at them, "What happened? What's wrong?"

Gaius spoke up now, "Sire...there is a fragment of sword embedded in your chest."

"Can it not be removed?"

"No," Marayna swallowed, "We've had the healers try, it..." she shook her head and how pale she went at the memory told him it wasn't good, so he squeezed her hand.

"I...we don't think even Morgana could remove it," Merlin whispered.

"The blade..." Mordred began, "Morgause must have looked into the future as well, or had one of her seers do so, she gave that man a sword forged in a Dragon's breath."

"Like Excalibur," Arthur nodded slowly, understanding what that meant, it was fatal.

"The blade's point is travelling inexorably towards your heart," Gaius continued, "It would take a power as ancient as the Dragons themselves to thwart it."

"Such as?" Arthur asked, not even hesitating to ask to use magic now.

"Only the Sidhe possess such magic. In the midst of the Lake Of Avalon there is an ancient isle. That is the source of their power. You must go there."

"We've already got horses prepared," Leon offered, speaking up for the first time since they noticed Arthur had woken.

"Merlin and Mordred will take you there," Marayna squeezed his hand, "With Morgause's army still out there...I fear for Camelot."

"I should be back at the citadel..." Arthur tried to argue.

"Don't make me turn you into a simpleton again Arthur," Marayna threatened, sounding serious, "I will do it if it means you go with them to the lake. Please," she whispered, "Camelot needs you to live, I need you to, our children do..."

"Mara..." he swallowed, "The Disir said..."

"To hell with the Disir!" she snapped, not about to tell him what their prophecy really meant, she knew, she could feel it in her bones, that Morgause was going to attack Camelot next, thinking Arthur had fallen, the castle was going to be targeted and she knew...that was HER final stand, that was where she would fall, defending her home, and she needed him as FAR away from the castle as possible, "You are still alive, you still draw breath and if you get to the lake...you'll draw it still."

Arthur looked at her, seeing tears in her eyes and nodded, even if he died on the way...he had to do it for her, "Ok."

~8~

Marayna held her head up high as she rode back into Camelot with Leon, Gwaine, Percival and the rest of the knights to see Morgana, Gwen, and Lancelot waiting there at the steps, William beside her, holding Morgana's hand as Gwen held Rosaline.

"Mum!" William cheered rushing down the steps as she got off the horse and picked him up as he threw himself at her, "Mummy you're ok!" he grinned at her and kissed her face a few times, "I stayed here, like you said and I potected Lyn," he told her, before noticing there was a small handful of people missing and frowned, "Mummy, where's daddy and uncle Merwin and Uncle Modded?"

Marayna smiled at how he couldn't seem to pronounce any of the names in their family, "Your father's gone on another quest," she told him, not able to bear the thought of having to tell him his father had been fatally wounded, "Your uncles have gone with him to protect him."

"They're ok?"

She nodded, "They will be," she kissed his head and looked at Morgana and Gwen over his shoulder as she hugged him, all of them able to see the tears in her eyes, "Why don't you help Gaius with his supplies, dear, ok?"

William nodded and wiggled so she set him down and ran to his uncle's side to help him carry his left over herbs, the Druids having supplied quite a lot of them.

"Rayna," Morgana stepped over to her with Gwen and Lancelot, "What happened? Where's Merlin?"

"Arthur was hurt," Marayna told them bluntly, "Mordred saved him, but he was hurt. He and Merlin are taking him to the lake of Avalon to heal him. But there's something else," she looked at them, "We need to fortify the citadel. Morgause is going to attack."

"What?" Gwen breathed, her eyes wide and Marayna reached out to take her daughter back.

"She thinks Arthur's dead, she's still got half her army with her, the scouts came back on our way here...she's marching on Camelot."

"Worse yet," they heard a voice call, and turned to see Benedict dragging Eira behind him, his grip white on her wrist before he threw the woman to the ground before them, "We have a traitor in our midst."

"I saw her sending a crow from her rooms just after Emrys and Gwaine departed," Margaret offered, she and Lyra having come with the man.

"And I got her nice and drunk and got the truth from her," Lyra smirked, "Tsk, tsk Sir Gwaine," she shook her head at him, "Never tell a pretty face where you're heading out on a secret mission."

Gwaine blushed at that, realizing he'd mentioned to Eira when he'd departed with Merlin and Mordred to go to the Crystal Cave that they were headed to the Valley of the Fallen Kings. It had just been a passing comment, she'd been a small survivor of the first attack and he thought she was just a frightened woman who was scared he was leaving as he'd been the one to save her.

"Ray..." Gwaine looked at her.

"It doesn't matter," she shook her head at him, "Merlin survived, Mordred was there to help, and it's not like she can tell them anything now, Morgause won't turn her attack from Camelot just to chase one man, even if Emrys is with him. She wants the kingdom, she can deal with Arthur later. Take her to the dungeons," she ordered Benedict, the man nodding and taking her off.

Percival moved over to Margaret and hugged her tightly, whispering his thanks to her, while Gwaine took a step towards Lyra who rolled her eyes and walked off...Gwaine chasing after her and apologizing to her as well, making Marayna shake her head at him, sure that this time it would be Lyra who got the snog.

~8~

Merlin, Mordred, and Arthur trotted along, making good time on their quest to the lake...when they spotted two men galloping towards them.

"Saxons," Mordred whispered, thankful he'd left his red knight's cape and armor with the others to return it to Camelot as he turned on his horse and quickly put a blanket over Arthur to try and cover him so that the others couldn't see it was the king.

"I'll deal with them," Merlin agreed, getting off his horse and handing Mordred the reins to his horse to hold, "Keep your head down, Arthur. Don't speak," he stepped away from the horses a pace and focused on the woods, making a stream of smoke rise from the middle of the trees, like a campfire going, before turning to shout to the two men, "Help us! Please you have to help us. We were ambushed."

"By who?" one of the men dismounted, Merlin recognizing him from the battle, he must be one of the scouts sent out to see if any of the knights had fled and to deal with them.

"Um...a couple men..."

"What did they look like?"

"Um...one was...a knight," he shrugged, glancing at Arthur and seeing the sword hilt was visible, "They stormed our camp," he pointed to the woods, making the men look over as Mordred reached over and quickly covered the sword before the men turned back.

"You're sure it was a Camelot knight?"

"Yes," he nodded, and then quickly threw out his hands and sent the two men flying backwards with a flash of his eyes, "Come on," he turned and got back on his horse, the three of them continuing on.

~8~

Marayna stood in the Man Hall, looking out the window as Morgana paced behind her, letting out a breath when she saw signal fires going off in the distance, the army was getting closer, "It's time," she breathed, looking at Morgana.

Gwen and Lancelot were with the children and Benedict, ready to flee if this went bad. Morgana was to remain in the citadel with the people, healing if any came through the Bloodguard. And she...

"Rayna?" Morgana whispered, stopping her pacing to look at the queen, at her friend and sister, "What are you going to do?"

The plan was that she would join the Bloodguard in facing Morgause and her army, any knights who were able to join her. But...there was something in Marayna's stance, in how she'd kissed her children goodbye, in her eyes...that told Morgana she knew something that no one else did.

"I'm going to show Morgause why she should NEVER attack a castle when the queen is a mother and her children are inside," she said, turning to stride for the doors, "She has no idea what I'm capable of or what I'd give up for my children and my people."

"Rayna!" Morgana called, the last line startling her, but Marayna was already out the doors...and then seemed to realize that she could transport herself because the next thing Morgana could see...a swirl of dust and wind rose in the middle of the Bloodguard.

"You men," Marayna called as she got her bearings, seeing the Bloodguard with her, "With me," she turned and strode away, leading the men out, knowing Morgana was watching, knowing the woman was worried, but she shouldn't be. No one should be afraid anymore. Because she was going to end this now, she was going to stop Morgause if it was the last thing she did...and she knew it would be.

Because she knew she was to fall in this battle, that she would die for the kingdom to continue, for her children to be safe. And that was the most dangerous thing Morgause could ever face, someone going into battle knowing they would die...because there was no fear. She'd accepted it long ago that this was coming, that this was her destiny, and she would see it done. Nothing would scare her, nothing would stop her, she would die, but she'd do it bringing Morgause down with her.

"Today we fight for the future and the safety of all," she said simply, "And..." she hesitated before looking back at them, "Protect yourselves," she told them, "And protect each other. Do NOT concern yourself with ME, is that understood?" the men stiffened at that, shifting as they realized the meaning in her words, "I go into this knowingly," she added, the only woman among them, "And I go into this for everything Camelot represents. Morgause is MINE."

And with that, she turned and faced the approaching army, taking a deep breath before she let out the command to start the attack.

~8~

They'd had to stop to rest, take a moment to eat, change Arthur's bandages, and just rest. They'd ridden hard all day and they were so close, they were within miles of the lake and even with Arthur insisting they go on...they really did have to rest, let the horses rest and feed.

"Here," Merlin smiled as he and Mordred helped get food in Arthur. Mordred had gathered wood and started a fire while he had gathered enough for some soup and leaned over to help Arthur eat. His wound was getting worse, his arm couldn't move and moving his other arm caused pain in his chest so he was feeding the man, "This should help."

Arthur opened his mouth, taking a bite, "We haven't been here in a while," he joked, thinking back to when Merlin had been his servant. It seemed so long ago, he honestly almost couldn't imagine the man being anything but his brother, "I never asked you...why did you and Mara stay?" he'd always wondered it, "Everything I put you through. Everything I did to you both. Why/"

"At first it was because it was our destiny," Merlin shrugged, "I mean, after that first day, that was really the only thing that kept me there."

"I tried to take your head off with a mace," Arthur recalled.

"And I stopped you, using magic."

"Cheater."

"You were going to kill me!" Merlin laughed, joking.

"I'm glad I didn't though," Arthur admitted, "Mara would kill me."

Merlin smiled, glancing at Mordred as he stroked the fire before turning back to the man, "But after that...it became more because...you were our friend. MY friend, and Aya's...well, something more than a friend," he mused, "It became a matter of us seeing you for who you were and that was someone important to us."

"It's why you have to survive," Mordred agreed, "Without you, Camelot's nothing."

"There was a time when that was true," Arthur sighed, "Not now. There are many who can fill the crown. If anything happens to me...William will be a wonderful king when he's old enough, and I know Mara will rule the kingdom well till he can take up his position."

"Nothing will happen to you," Merlin promised, "I'm not about to leave my nephew fatherless," he looked at him, "Our children will have something none of us had," he gripped Arthur's hand in his vow, "BOTH parents."

"And more uncles and aunts than it can count," Mordred added with a smile.

"Now, don't make me transport Aya here to tell you to eat your food," Merlin smirked, "We need you strong for the last few miles."

"We're almost there sire," Mordred nodded, "Um, brother," he corrected when Arthur shot him a look, "The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can get you back to your family."

"OUR family," Arthur murmured, smiling at the thought of it, feeling hope bubble in him...maybe the Disir had been wrong.

~8~

The people had left the Citadel, they'd left the safeholds, but they were still in the castle and the kingdom and the battle was still raging just outside the walls. The people had gathered on them, on the battlements and the walls and windows and every place they could to watch what was happening. They knew their king was a fierce warrior, they were quite aware...but their Queen? THAT they hadn't been expecting, but there she was, in the middle of the fray, striding through the Saxons as though they weren't there, casting them aside with rushes of magic, on a warpath for Morgause. They had never seen a battle of the sort one mixed of men and magic, of swords and sorcery...nor had they ever chanced to imagine just how powerful their Queen was. Morgause seemed to forget that while they didn't have much opportunity to investigate magical occurrences like with Gwen, they DID have time to study on their own.

For years Marayna had been staying within the castle while the others went out, mostly it was for the children, but there was another factor in it. Saving her strength, building her strength, building her skill and spell arsenal...and she was more than willing to let loose on the sorceress what had plagued them for nearly a decade. She had quite a lot of pent up anger against Morgause, how she had tried to manipulate Morgana, how she'd nearly killed her brother a dozen times, how she'd tried to have Gwen kill her children, how she'd organized this entire battle to strike Arthur down...she was NOT going to let the woman get away this time.

"Morgause!" Marayna shouted as she reached the woman, she knew, if she could just get Morgause taken care of, that the Saxons would fall, she was the one with the most magic, she was the one that they were relying on to give them the win now that the numbers were more than equal and with the Bloodguard helping...Camelot was gaining foothold and fast.

"Well, well, well," Morgause sneered as she turned to see the Queen of Camelot before her, "What a joy it is to see you, Reesa," she sneered, "Your husband may have won the battle but I will see the war MINE. I will see Camelot fall, I will see my sister suffer, and I will see your title for my own."

Marayna scoffed, "You truly think it's that easy to claim the title of High Priestess? I've already named my successor, my daughter, and she is well protected. You so much as breach those walls and she's gone, safe and FAR away from you with the rightful heir to the throne. And I swear to the gods Morgause, they are my children, they are Arthur's children, and they will avenge us and reclaim their kingdom as Arthur has done numerous times in the past. William will sit on the throne and Rosaline will be the High Priestess and there is NOTHING you can do to stop it!"

"Watch me!" Morgause screeched sending a fire ball right at Marayna.

But Marayna caught it, "If you think I'm THAT easy to defeat...you're wrong."

"My Lady no!" one of the Bloodguard called, seeing the fireball in her hand starting to travel up her arm, realizing what she was doing.

"Stop!" another member called.

But Marayna shook her head, "No, this HAS to happen, and it has to happen NOW."

The people watched in shock and awe as she threw out her free arm and sent Morgause flying into the wall of the castle, before the fire spread up to her shoulder, starting to spin around her, creating a spiral of fire around her, seeping into the ground around her, an immense heat wafting off of her as she glared at Morguase. She'd done this once before, to Nimueh, she'd conjured a firefiend, it fed off life force, it fed off magic, and Nimueh had been weak compared to Morgause...this would take more.

This would take everything.

Marayna brought her hands together, Morgause pinned to the wall, and took a breath, throwing her arms out, sending the fire racing for her, the end of it seeming to take the vague shape of a dragon, before it hit her. Morgause screamed as the fire swirled around her engulfing her, her eyes flashing as her magic tried to fight against it, but Marayna pushed harder, sent more magic, more life into the fires, trapping the sorceress in the flames. It had been prophesized in Mogause's own mind that Emrys would be her doom, and it was true, because she was doing this for her brother, for her husband and her sister and her people, but especially for her brother. She would rather this be her than him, he needed to live to see his child born.

The people watched in shock and horror and awe as the greatest threat against Camelot disintegrated into ashes before their very eyes...before their Queen fell to the ground and didn't get up.

~8~

It had been close, getting to the lake in time, they'd nearly run into Saxons again, but Mordred had used his magic to make a false trail for them, leading them off the opposite way. But they were there, they were finally there! They were half thankful that Morgause hadn't attacked them, but also half concerned because they knew it likely meant that Marayna was right and Morgause had likely gone on to attack the Citadel. They were hoping beyond hope that the Bloodguard had been able to stop them, to cut them down enough for the rest of the army to fight back and win, that the Citadel would be fine.

They were there now, they'd reached the lake and Arthur still drew breath even as Mordred and Merlin lowered him to the edge of the lake, letting him catch his breath before they started what they'd come to do.

"There's something I want to say..." Arthur began, grabbing Merlin's arm before he could step forward and summon the Sidhe.

"If you're going to say goodbye..." Merlin warned.

"No," Arthur winced, "I just...for everything you've done, for me, for Camelot, for the kingdom you and your family helped me build...I want to say thank you," he breathed.

Merlin put his hand on Arthur's, "You're welcome."

"And you Mordred," Arthur looked at the other man, "Thank you, for all you've done."

"It was nothing," Mordred whispered.

Merlin smiled, about to make a joke about how Arthur was being 'such a girl' now much like how Arthur used to say that to him...when he and Mordred suddenly hunched over, their hands gripping their heads, gasping and panting as they looked up, their eyes wide in fear.

"What?" Arthur looked between them, "What is it?!"

"Aya," Merlin breathed, "She's...something happened," he looked at Arthur, "Something happened to her!"

Arthur swallowed hard, "Summon the Sidhe NOW," he ordered, "And then summon the Dragon."

~8~

"Dragon!" the cry went up in the courtyard, the guards and knights rushing with their spears and swords, ready to attack...when Morgana ran out of the castle.

"Stand down!" she shouted, "Stand down, he's an ally!"

The knights seemed hesitant but obeyed their princess, rushing back to allow the dragon room to land and then they saw it, Arthur, Merlin, and Mordred on the creature's back.

The men could hardly call their thanks back to Kilgharrah before they ran to Morgana, "Where's Mara?!" he demanded.

"Arthur..." Morgana began, tears in her eyes, her face paler than they could remember her being.

"Morgana, where is she?" Arthur cut in.

"She fell," a small voice said behind her and they could see Gwen standing there with Lancelot's arms around her, "She...she fell in battle."

"What?" Merlin breathed, Mordred shaking his head as though he were stunned.

Lancelot swallowed hard, "She faced Morgause, she attacked just like Rayna feared...and she faced her. She um...there was fire..."

"She conjured a firefiend," Morgana told Merlin, "Just like with Nimueh."

"She nearly died that time!" Merlin cried...and then it hit him, "Gana..." he breathed, realizing what they were saying.

Morgana immediately went to her husband and hugged him tightly.

"She's in the physician's chambers," Gwen offered and Arthur was off, running down the halls, needing to get to his wife and see for himself.

Arthur half burst into the chambers, seeing Gwaine was there, Percival and Leon helping what was left of the wounded and destruction, "Arthur..." Gwaine began.

Arthur just shook his head not to talk and ran over to his wife, lying on a cot, Gaius beside her. She was pale, paler than death, with dark shadows under her eyes, sweat on her brow, her lips a bit blue...but then he saw it, her chest was rising, shallowly, but it was rising, she was breathing, "Mara..." he breathed, reaching out to take her hand, "Gaius?" he looked at him.

"Arthur," Gaius reached out to touch Arthur's shoulder, "You must understand...it will take a while for her to regain her strength..."

"But she's alive?" he whispered, needing to know, needing to be sure he wasn't imagining it.

Gaius swallowed hard, "It was clsoe...and...we DID lose her," he was honest, "Her heart stopped after she vanquished Morgause..."

"What?" Arthur stared at him, though it was more from his choice of words than what he'd actually said that had shocked him. Her heart had stopped...the Disir, they'd said the Heart of Camelot had to stop for the kingdom to continue. He'd thought it was HIM they'd been talking about...but...he closed his eyes, the bridgekeeper, he'd called him Courage, he'd asked him about Heart, Strength, and Magic and he KNEW Heart was Marayna and he...he'd misinterpreted it...

Just like his father likely had the conditions about his mother's life.

He felt ill, he felt terrible, he'd nearly bargained away his wife's life for his kingdom, just as his father had done for his son's life.

"But she lives?" he looked at Gaius.

"Yes," he nodded, "The Bloodguard are always to protect the High Priestess."

"The Bloodguard?" Arthur blinked not understanding what that had to do with anything.

"Benedict gave his life to bring her back," Gwaine told him quietly, "The Druids brought the Cup of Life with them when they took refuge here...Benedict offered his life for hers."

Arthur let out a breath at that and felt tears in his eyes, bringing Marayna's hand to his lips to kiss it, pressing the back of it to his forehead as he openly cried and swore to himself Benedict would be honored for his sacrifice.

~8~

It had truly taken months, months for Marayna to recover from what she'd done...much to her irritation, she hated being sick or bedridden and she'd been that for three months before she'd been able to walk about. She'd gotten to spend quite a bit of time with her children though and Arthur was at her side every spare moment he had. Finally though, she was up and about and unable to stop smiling as she walked into the courtyard with her small family. All of them were there for something they'd been attempting to do for a while but had to wait on.

They were going to summon Aithusa.

Or really...William was.

Benedict, Morgana and Merlin's son would one day be able to do the same, but for now, with Merlin alive, William was the one they wanted to see do it.

She laughed as she saw her son rushing about, playing with the children, not just the nobles, but the peasant children as well, just loving spending time with them and being accepted by them and their parents. Camelot was thriving now that magic was returned, and everything was finally at peace with the threat of Morgause gone. The people had actually spoken to Arthur to tell him they were...quite glad that Marayna was his wife, that a witch was their queen and that their heirs had magic. Having lived with so many threats to Camelot coming from magic, to see her using it to such a degree to save them and protect them...they liked the thought of one of their rulers having that sort of magic. The fact that William had magic as well meant that they knew ALL people would be safe and protected.

They'd had to wait to call Aithusa as there were still a few rogue Saxons scattered about and they wanted to be sure that they were ALL dealt with before summoning the dragon that had attacked the men and fought for Morgause. They didn't know what sort of temperament the small Dragon would be in, if they'd be an enemy or a savior to it. So they wanted to make sure ALL the magic users were at full health before calling the Dragon there as well. They were all there, all of them except Leon really, he was spending quite a bit of time in Nemeth as the 'ambassador' as Arthur dubbed him, though they all knew he was more there for personal connections than political.

Gwaine was there with Lyra, Percival and Margaret, Merlin and Morgana and Benedict in her arms, Gwen and Lancelot (who both hadn't stopped smiling since the night before when they'd revealed Gwen was with child as well), Mordred and Kara who were betrothed now, and, of course, Arthur, Marayna, Rosaline, and William, Gaius wandering about behind them with Alice, all gathered to see about Aithusa.

"Are you ready son?" Arthur asked as William ran back to his parents with a wide grin on his face from his games.

"Yes!" William nodded, beaming, SO excited to call a Dragon like his uncle.

"Ok," Marayna crouched before him Arthur holding Rosaline in his arms, "Just take your time and remember the spell?"

"I do mummy," he nodded, taping his head, before he turned around and took a few steps before them, looking up and shouting in an adorable four year old voice, "O drakon, e mala soi ftengometh tesd'hup anankes! Erkheo!"

A moment later a hush fell upon the area as a small white Dragon descended and landed before them, making William jump back slightly, never having seen the Dragon before in person, though he stared at it in awe.

Aithusa looked at them with sorrow in its eyes, before Morgana handed Benedict to Merlin and stepped over to it cautiously, a spell Kilgharrah had given her in mind, a spell she had tricked the Dragon into giving her and used on him as well, the only spell he knew of that could help heal a Dragon, and got right to work healing the small white Dragon of all the injuries it had sustained over the years with Morgause, mending its bones, erasing its scars, healing its voice and eyes. Aithusa let out a happy roar and spread its wings widely, sounding almost like it was cawing at the sky before it bundled its wings in and nuzzled Morgana's face before William ran over to pet it, the rest of the children that had been there gathering around to do the same.

Arthur laughed as Rosaline wiggled in his arms and he set her down, the girl taking a few wobbly steps towards the dragon too, having started walking only last month. William saw his sister coming and ran to take her hand, walking with her to the Dragon and helped her pet the dragon.

Marayna looked over as Arthur wound an arm around her waist, the two of them just...looking, at their children, at their family, at their people and kingdom and future...

It had never looked brighter.

~8~

"Though no man, no matter how great, can know his destiny, some lives have been foretold. King Arthur of Camelot, the Once and Future King, his sister Morgana, the Healer and Seer. Queen Marayna, his wife, the High Priestess, and her brother Merlin, the Archmage and Dragonlord are but a few that have. Take heart, for when Albion's destiny shall endure, the golden kingdom that would last centuries more. The souls of Arthur and his most trusted court shall never fade from this earth and, when the time has come again, so too shall they rise for the story they have created, the legend of Camelot, will live long in the minds of men."

The End

A/N: I can't believe it's over! O.O I'm so sad :( It was such a blast making Marayna and adding her into the series. And I'm so glad you guys enjoyed her :) So 2 very important notes to follow...

First note...POTENTIAL SEQUEL!

Lol, got your attention? :) I have an idea for a sequel in mind, not a 'Series 6' because it wouldn't continue in Camelot but...in the future! Or at least the modern day :) Reincarnation story anyone? :) I will say that I am in love with the idea of reincarnation in shows and stories, especially if it's about people in love who find each other again...that's probably why I'm a Rebel shipper for the show Roswell lol :) But anyway, I've been knocking around an idea to try a sort of modern take on the story for Arthur and Marayna and their friends that would not quite just retell the series again in modern times, but more have strong parallels to certain events from the past and just sort of see if anything comes from it. I have a lot to hash out (whether I want magic to be part of it or a metaphor for some other talent, whether I want them to get glimpses of their pasts, whether I keep the names or make them modern, etc), but it's a definite idea. I can't say when it would be up. Possibly next year as I haven't even really outlined it much, but if enough people are interested, I'll definitely try my best to get it written :) It would probably be just 1 story and MUCH more than just 23 chapters, I can't say how many it would be in total either.

Second note...POTENTIAL SPINOFF!

I'm considering a spin off that would follow the lives of William and Rosaline as they grow up, along with other little things in the timeline of Camelot. Almost like a mini-Series 6 but without the major adventures and magical threats that make up an episode. Sort of like key moments in their lives, a little Gwaine/Lyra, Percival/Margaret, and other moments. The Death of Gaius, the passing of Arthur, William's coronation and so on, really just like snapshots in the history of Camelot. It would probably be disjointed, just sort of whatever moments come to mind, so we might get Arthur's death one chapter and then him playing with a grandchild the next or something like that :)

So...anyone interested in one? The other? Both? Neither? Let me know ;) I'll definitely consider them if enough people are interested :)

Also! For anyone who's a fan of Once Upon a Time, check back in about 6-7 hours for the start of my Once Upon a Time Gold/OC series ;)

Final note...I just want to take a second to thank all of you, everyone who's read/reviewed/favorited/followed/anything this series. I was really nervous about this series because I've only attempted one story where I did an original chapter between episodes and this was the firs in an actual series where I did it continuously throughout and I always get SO nervous about the original ones. I'm really just so touched that you've enjoyed the story and that you like Marayna :') You guys are just so amazing and I'm glad I was able to produce a good story for you :')

Some notes on reviews...

I'm pretty busy at the moment, especially with our new puppy (he's adorable but SO much work lol) I'll try my best to help though :)

That's a-ok with me :) I only really have an issue if people post the actual stories on other sites where people can read and comment on them there as I like to keep everything on FF :/ But since you said it's just the cover and a link right to FF that's cool with me :) Thanks for asking and I'm very glad that you like the stories so much that you'd like to instagram it :)

I like to think the necklace was his father's :) I'm glad you like Lyra and Margaret so far :) I tried to make Margaret as small and petite as possible just because I like the contrast of someone as big as Percival with a smaller woman, probably brings out even more protective instincts ;)