Anna opened her eyes two hours after she had gone to sleep. The only reason she woke then was because someone was shaking her. She rolled over and came face to face with Cora.
"Hey there, Anna," she greeted her. "Sorry to wake you, but there's only an hour before the feast starts. I figured I could help you get ready."
Anna rubbed her eyes sleepily. "I have plenty of time." She sat up.
Cora sat down on the bed in front of her. "Yes, but I don't."
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Cora explained what had happened and how they found the traitor. "Arthur wanted-well no-Merlin wanted Mordred to go after Hugh's family. I didn't want him to have to go alone, to ask you if it was okay."
Anna stared at her for a few seconds. She wasn't fully awake yet. "Cora, I don't know-"
She smiled. "You and Merlin are more than powerful enough to take on Morgana and Thorn."
"But what if there are more?"
"They're the main threats. You saw that in your vision."
"I did."
"I really want to go."
Anna frowned. "Why? You hardly know him."
Cora blushed sheepishly. "I like him." She told her about the moment they had shared earlier.
Anna pressed her lips together. "Okay, but only on one condition."
"Anything."
"Starla has to be the one to take you."
Cora grinned. "It's a deal. She hugged her tightly. "Now let's get you ready."
~ * ~
The mood was somber in Arthur's chambers. He and Gwen were sitting on his bed, as close as they could get to each other. Gwen had her head lying against Arthurs chest. He was just holding her there. No words were being spoken. It was just silent bliss.
The plan was already in place. Everyone but Anna knew, and Cora was taking care of that little snare. Arthur sighed inwardly. As the minutes ticked away, he was starting to get more and more nervous. He stroked Gwen's long, curly hair. He had half a mind to get her out of the castle, to send her far away, where he knew she would be safe. He knew she would never allow it. She was stubborn and brave; he loved her for it.
"Arthur?" Gwen said abruptly.
"Yes?" Arthur gazed down at his chest.
"I feel like a sissy for admitting this, but I'm scared."
He smiled. "Being frightened is nothig to be ashamed of. I'm scared too, Guinevere."
She looked up at him, slightly surprised. "Really?"
He nodded. "For the first time in my life, I'm having to leave the battle in someone else's hands. I'm terrified at all the things that could go wrong tonight."
"Merlin is a very powerful sorcerer. The battle is in capable hands."
"I know, but even Merlin is only one man. I just don't like the odds."
"Anna is here for us too."
"She's strong. I just pray everything goes according to plan."
"It will. I believe it will."
Arthur pressed his lips together. He still had his doubts. No matter how hard he tried to push them away, they kept coming back at him with a vegenance.
~ * ~
Swords clanked together noisily in the armory. Gwaine, Percival and Leon were practicing along with a few others.
"I can't wait to see Morgana's fac when she realizes what's happening," Percival commented. "I hope I'm the one to run her through." He swiped at Gwaine, but he side-stepped swiftly.
"I don't think so," Gwaine told him. "She's mine." Their swords clanked and he backed off.
Leon laughed. "Morgana Pendragon will die by Merlin's hand," he told them as he practiced a few moves. "I don't think any of us will have to worry about it."
"I still can't believe Merlin is Emrys."
"I can't believe he's a sorcerer, never mind the most powerful one." Leon sighed. "I've known him longer than any of you. It just doesn't seem possible."
"Well, I'm glad he is," Percival told them. "At least, we can trust him."
They all agreed with his statement with their whole hearts. They put their swords down for a moment and got a drink of water from the pitcher Merlin had brought them earlier.
"I just hope he does whatever he did in the forest yesterday," Gwaine said.
Leon nodded. "If he does, the battle is as good as won."
~ * ~
Mordred was a nervous wreck. He paced back and forth, from one end of the room to the other. Arthur had entrusted him with his first mission. All he had to do was rescue Hugh's family and get all of them, including Hugh and Cora, back to Camelot safely. It sounded a lot easier than it was going to be though. Somehow, he knew it.
A part of him wanted to stay behind for the battle. He wanted to help Merlin and Arthur 'hold down the fort', but this was an important mission too. His thoughts drifted to happier times, as he continued to pace.
~ * ~
"You are extremely quiet," Gaius observed.
Merlin barely heard him. He was staring wide-eyed straight ahed, and his mind was light years away.
Gaius frowned at him. "Merlin."
He snapped out of his trance-like state, and found Gaius's face. He forced himself to smile. "I'm sorry, Gaius. What did you say?"
"I said, 'You are extremely quiet'."
"I'm thinking."
Gaius raised his eyebrow. "Not too much I hope." A critical expression settled on his face.
Merlin sighed. "I'm scared."
"I'd consider you a fool if you weren't."
"Everyone is counting on me. What if I can't handle Morgana?"
Gaius frowned again. He had never seen Merlin so upset about a confrontation before. Of course, they knew the possible outcome of this one. There was always a possibility they could all die, but the vision made it more real. He placed a comforting hand on Merlin's shoulder.
"I'm sure you'll have no problem."
"She's powerful, Gaius. She nearly knocked me out during our last confrontation. She almost killed Arthur, and I wasn't there to stop her."
"He's fine."
"Thanks to Mordred."
Gaius smiled. He knew Merlin could do this. "I have faith in you, Emrys."
Merlin looked up at the mention of his alter ego. Gaius had never called him by that nae before. "Why did you call me Emrys?"
"Because it's who you are magically."
Merlin frowned at him in confusion. He elaborated.
"Merlin is the compassionate servant, the one with the golden heart, loyal to Arthur in every way possible. Emrys may possibly be the most powerful sorcerer to ever walk the Earth. He is the last dragonlord, strong, and valiant. The most amazing part is, he lives inside of you, Merlin. You can bring him to the surface any time you want to."
Merlin smiled. His heart was a little lighter now. "Thanks. I needed to hear it."
Gaius patted him on the shoulder. "It's what I'm here for."
He stood and took a deep breath. "I think I'm going up to see Anna before all of this begins."
Gaius nodded, and got to his feet. He put his arm around Merlin. The old man hugged him tightly. "You are the son I never got to have, Merlin. Good luck."
Merlin's eyes were watering when Gaius released him. "I would be proud to call you my father, Gaius and I love you like I do him. I'll see you when the battle is over."
He laughed. "That's the spirit."
~ * ~
"There," Cora said. She took a step back to admire her work. "You look beautiful."
Anna rolled her eyes. "I'm in battle clothes."
"It's a good thing you and Gwen and I are about the same size." She looked down at her own battle clothes. "Otherwise, we would have had to fair in our dresses."
They both giggled. Anna pivoted away from the mirror.
"Cora."
She smiled. "What?"
"You know what."
"I'm not saying goodbye."
Anna grinned. "You know me too well." She stepped forward and hugged her friend. Tears came to Cora's eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
"You stay alive," she choked out as Anna released her. "I want to see you when I get back."
Anna nodded. "I'll call Starla. She should be waiting on you when you go outside."
"Okay. I'm going to go down and see Mordred."
She smiled. "Okay." She watched Cora walk briskly to the door and let herself out. She knew her friend was trying hard not to cry.
Anna closed her eyes and sent a telepathic message to Starla. In minutes, the white horse was hovering outside of her window. She opened it up, beaming brightly at her old friend.
"Thank you for coming, Starla."
Starla bobbed her head up and down.
"Please take care of Cora and Mordred. They are dear to me."
"Of course. I will guard them with my life."
"I appreciate it."
Starla hovered for a little bit longer, then glided down to the cobblestone courtyard below. Anna shut the window, tears falling from her eyes.
"Don't cry, Anna."
She gasped and spun around, startled. The last time she checked she was alone in the room. Merlin was standing there in her doorway. She immediately wiped away her tears.
"I'm worried," she confessed.
"I was, but I'm not anymore." Merlin closed the distance between them. He gently took her by the shoulders. "Gaius reminded me I can do this; we can do this."
Anna gazed lovingly up at him. "I'm just- I don't want anyone to die."
"I don't either, Anna, but everyone has their own destiny. If it's time to go, for any of us, we won't be able to change it."
She sighed wearily. It's exactly what she was afraid of.
Merlin bent down and captured her lips. She kissed him back, allowing all her bad feelings to melt away. He held onto her tightly, and she felt safe. Anna kissed him like they might never see each other again. When their lips parted, they put their foreheads together. They stayed in this position, even when the knock came on the door.
"Come in," Merlin called out.
The door opened quickly. It was Arthur. He looked at Merlin, then at Anna.
"Mordred and Cora just left, and Hugh, a little bit ago. The lookout on the hill just informed Gwaine that Morgana is on her way."
Merlin and Anna gazed at each other once more, then moved apart.
"Arthur, I'm ready. I will protect all of you at all costs," Merlin vowed.
Arthur gave him a nod. "I know you will." He smiled. "I never said this to you before, but I know now. All you've done in the past, it was for me and for Camelot. Thank you, Merlin." To the surprise of Anna and Merlin, Arthur graced him with a small bow. "I owe you everything, Merlin, and I will not forget this."
Tears came to Merlin's eyes. His only response was a nod because he was too choked up to speak.