Thank you for all the follows, favourites and reviews - normally I'd wait a day or so before posting the second part but since there are scant hours left of Halloween I though I'd post it now. Many thanks to Caldera32 once again. Hope you enjoy the conclusion, let me know what you think.

Chapter 2: Can Anyone See Me?

Arthur parried every one of Ode's blows with a counter move of his own. The royal was smaller than the phantom king but quicker and immensely skilled. The ring of metal on metal echoed through the corridor as the two warriors fought until Arthur saw an opening and plunged his sword into Ode's chest.

Ode stumbled back but did not fall.

Arthur stood momentarily stunned.

Ode pulled back the robe to show the blade wedged in an empty rib cage. "Too soon, little king, I have no heart to slay."

Skeletal fingers wrapped round the sword and began to pull it free. Arthur ducked and pulled a dagger from his boot, launching it at the other flesh-covered arm. It hit true.

A scream filled the space but it was not Ode. Arthur spun around, his foot colliding with something solid. Merlin lay on the floor, blood spilling from his right shoulder. A clatter stole Arthur's attention, the sword and dagger had fallen to the ground - Ode had gone.

The royal knelt by his servant. "Merlin! MERLIN!" Arthur yelled, unable to hide the desperation in his voice as he shook the pale figure.

"You can see me?" Merlin croaked; face breaking into a wan smile.

"You're covered in blood! What the hell is going on?"

"I've been stabbed."

"By him?"

"You."

"No, that's not possible." Arthur shook his head and tore the bottom off the servant's shirt, using it to stem the bleeding.

"I'll have to repair that!"

"It's hardly a priority, Merlin."

"We need to speak to Gaius."

"Yes, I think we do."

Arthur hauled Merlin to his feet, the servant swayed for a moment but the king draped an arm over his shoulder and secured the other 'round his waist. A guard had finally responded to the commotion and Arthur ordered him to help move the servant.

As they rounded the corner, a shadow knelt over the puddle of blood and licked the drops off the floor. "Soon, my little king, soon." Ode hissed to himself.

Arthur paced up and down, hands running through his hair as the physician applied a dressing to Merlin's arm.

"So Ode's not gone?"

"I very much doubt it, Sire."

"What you're saying is Merlin and this King Ode's life forces are connected somehow? As one fades the other gets stronger?"

"It would appear so." Gaius secured the bandage. "Physical contact seems to make the difference, why we can now see Merlin and Ode has gone. I fear the process is still in motion."

"Merlin will just fade away? Become a spirit!"

"Let's hope it does not come to that."

"But how has this happened?"

"An enchantment must have been triggered when you stumbled into the tomb – the bones appeared as gold, you say?"

"Yes, but nothing happened until Merlin touched that skull! Only Merlin, what's so special about you, Merlin?" Arthur stared accusingly at his servant.

The warlock swallowed and exchanged a look with his mentor.

Gaius sighed. "It is unusual for such a strong spell to be activated without some sort of blood ritual. Did anything else happen?"

Blood.

Merlin closed his eyes then looked down at the dried scabs on his palms, remembering how the skull had melded to his skin and only his magic had released it. Damn it!

"I had blood on my hands." He announced.

Arthur stopped in his tracks and mouth ajar. "What! How could you be so stupid!"

Merlin puffed up his chest. "I didn't fall on purpose! It's not like I had nice leather gloves or a thick cloak to protect me – I warned you not to explore, but oh -"

"We only stopped because of you!"

"What! You said -"

"Enough!" The old physician struck the table with his fist. "Squabbling between yourselves is not helping."

Both younger men stopped their argument and looked suitably chastised. There was a beat of silence before the royal spoke.

"So what do we do? My sword went straight through; it was useless." Arthur complained.

"Not entirely." Merlin mumbled.

"What?"

"When you struck his flesh it had an effect."

"Meaning?"

"Once he becomes fully corporeal you will be able to kill him." Merlin stated in flat tone.

Arthur's face fell. "But what happens to you! When I cut his arm it wounded you."

The servant shrugged. "I'm just a servant; he needs to be stopped, Arthur. There's a whole skeleton army waiting to be re-animated and attack camelot."

"No, Damn it!"

"The city can't fall."

"There must be another way. Gaius?"

Gaius tapped his finger to an open page on his book. "There may be something. Remember the potion we gave you when your father married Katrina?"

Arthur stopped. "The one that made me appear dead?"

"Yes."

"What about it."

"If his spirit thought Ode's body was dead, it might leave."

"So what, we just need to restrain him somehow and give him the potion?"

The physician nodded.

"That simple!" Arthur let out a cry of joy, practically jumping on the spot. "We'll sort this out, Merlin. I need to inform the other knights of the plan." He gave his friend a slap on the shoulder, only it went straight through and Merlin gasped in pain.

"What was that?" Arthur exclaimed, aghast.

"It means you are running out of time. Hurry, Sire, you have until midnight then I fear it will be too late."

The royal gave a firm nod and ran from the room. The door swung shut.

"That's not going to help, is it?" Merlin stated.

The physician sighed. "No, my boy, I'm afraid not."

"It's all my fault, Gaius; if it weren't for me they wouldn't have had to stop, wouldn't have found the cave or be in this mess."

"Nonsense! If it weren't for you, they would have never got out of the cave. It drew you there - the weather, the wealth - it was no accident. There's a reason no one has ever found Ode's treasure and lived to tell the tale."

"The spirit is not inhabiting my body, he's using my life force."

"I think so, yes."

"Then why tell Arthur that?"

"To buy some time. Once the transition is complete Ode is mortal; destroying his flesh means there would be nothing for your spirit to return to. You would be forever between worlds much as you are now."

"And the temporary death?"

Gaius shook his head "On Samhain? Too risky, too many lost spirits."

"Then what do we do?"

"There is no we; it's down to you, Merlin. You have to use your magic, go back to the source and destroy Ode's skull."

"What if I lose my magic?"

"You are magic. It is your essence and probably the only reason that I can still see and speak to you."

"You really think that would work?"

"It has to!"

"But I sealed the cave shut and it's miles away!"

"You are connected to Ode, how else can he be here when his bones are in the cave? Thus you must be able to do the same."

"How?"

"I'm sure you will think of something."

Gaius turned to put the book back on the shelf. He flopped back into his chair, shaking his head. "So much on one so young."

"I'm still here." Merlin yelled waving his hands in front of the old man's face.

The physician could not see him and when Merlin tried to shake his mentor's shoulder his hand passed right through. Gaius was right; they were running out of time.

The connection to Ode made getting into the cave easier than expected; however, with no sense of time he was now perilously close to midnight. It had felt like an instant but he knew it couldn't have been - he was weaker, almost translucent, and no longer able to interact with the physical world. Focusing on the skull, he'd arrived outside the craig and as a spirit was able to walk straight through the rocks. Getting out again may be a problem but if Merlin's plan did not work it would not matter.

All the times he'd complained inwardly that no one saw him for what he really was or listened to his warnings didn't hold a candle to this. If he did not succeed would he just fade into nothing as Ode had suggested, or be forever tethered to the cave by his magic? Forced to watch his gift siphoned off by a vengeful king and forced to do evil? He could not fail; he refused to.

The warlock stood observing the rows upon rows of skeleton soldiers standing still, holding shields and swords. They were no longer just bones nor were they fully formed but something in between; half clothed in flesh, grotesque versions of men. They guarded Ode's skull. Of course they did.

Merlin drew a breath, it was now or never. "Hello there! If you could just let me have the skull, I'll be on my way."

The soldiers turned in unison, half-rotten heads viewing the warlock. The nearest warrior slashed at Merlin with its sword. The blade passed straight through the warlock's stomach and he gasped in pain even though there was no damage. The rest of the army had seen him and they began to advance - one sword he could handle but hundreds? This had to stop. He held up his hands:

"Forbærne! Ácwele!"

Fire consumed the soldiers but as the flames died the skeletons remained.

"Simple fire won't destroy us, warlock. Others have tried."

Merlin bit his lip and shook his head. "This isn't simple fire, it's dragon fire. "Ligfyr onbærne swiþe, upastige draca!"

Fierce flames engulfed the cave, they rose in tongues of yellow and orange and reformed into the shape of a dragon. The beast opened its immense wings, nothing escaping its touch.

Merlin closed his eyes. "Adee þas sawle duru! Grið fæstne mid þisse tintregian sawle!" He chanted repeatedly.

He stood watching as the fire raged, a small shield protecting him. The skeletons were consumed; he heard their screams and saw their limbs claw at the walls and ground. He saw a figure larger than the rest with a chipped tooth. Ode writhed and yelled and crumbled to ash.

The smell of rotten flesh burning repulsed him but it was necessary. If I'd not stopped them would this have been Camelot's fate? He did what he did, he protected the ones he loved, he protected Arthur.

The cave was transformed, the heat so immense it had turned the rock to glass, a beautiful cavern of crystal that even in darkness refracted the light and encased Ode's gold. It was beautiful, but it was a sight no one would ever see. The warlock would make sure of it.

"You had your time and now your souls are free." They were in a better place, that much he'd given them. Camelot was safe; he'd stopped many innocent lives being lost and saved his king yet again - not that anyone knew. He wondered if there would ever be a time when they would, when he would be free.

He was corporeal again. Merlin turned and left the grave. He only hoped the vengeful king had not caused too much damage. Time to get back to Camelot.

Merlin stumbled down the embankment after blasting his way out of the cave. He'd been walking most of the night and the sun was just peeping over the horizon as he staggered through the gates of the castle.

The warlock flinched as a figure jumped off a low wall in front him.

"You're a sight for sore eyes." Gwaine exclaimed, pulling the younger man into a hug. "Where have you been?"

Merlin shrugged. "Around, just nobody could really see me."

The knight looked thoughtful. "That was hours ago, my friend – where have you been since then? You missed all the fun!"

Merlin raised an eyebrow.

"The half-dead king, Ode. He appeared in the great hall, challenged Arthur for the throne -"

"Is Arthur alright?"

"Oh yes, the fight never got going. Ode stood spouting about his wealth and new kingdom and all of a sudden he clutched his heart and burst into flames – poof!" Gwaine made a gesture with his hands. "All that remained was a little pile of ash. Princess has been franticly looking for you ever since."

"He has?"

"Hmm, so what are we going to say, that you were out picking herbs or celebrating in the tavern?"

Merlin stared at the knight, all recently regained colour draining from his face.

"Let's go with the tavern, shall we?" The knight draped an arm over the stunned servant, steering him into the castle. Once they'd negotiated the stairs Gwaine leaned in and whispered in Merlin's ear. "You might want to wash the ash out of your hair first and put on a different jacket – that one is a bit singed."

Merlin stood agog as Gwaine used the end of his neckerchief to wipe a smudge of soot off his cheek. Then the knight slapped him on the shoulder and strided away.

THE END

Forbærne! Ácwele! Burn up, destroy!

Adee þas sawle duru! Grið fæstne mid þisse tintregian sawle! Destroy this spirit-gate! Give peace to this tormented soul!

Ligfyr onbærne swiþe, upastige draca! Fire burn, rise/ascend dragon!

Gewican ge stanas! Ye, rocks fall!

Ecg misse! Sword fly!

Ástrice! I strike!

I hope you enjoyed that!

In my head Gwaine kind of always suspected Merlin, not that he'd ever challenge him openly of course.