Chaos of Destiny

Summary: Sequel to Divergence of Destiny.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing except maybe a few made up character names.

Author's Notes: I don't know how I feel posting this, it's something I've been on and off writing for the last few years. Sad, I know. I figured a few of you were curious where I intended it to go so I decided to post what I had. I had a totally different occupation when I first started "DoD" and so now work literally takes me all over the world that I felt I should just let the previous story stand on its own. Regardless, here is what I have so far.

Prologue

As soon as the light disappeared and Arthur saw that they were alone on Avalon, the eery silence and the still waters of the lake carried an instinctual familiarity that Arthur knew he had returned to his world. Before he could take one step forward, the sound of Merlin's scream had him spinning around, his sword held at the ready.

On the ground, Merlin withered in agony, his hands wrapped around his head.

"Merlin!"

He reached Merlin's side almost immediately, falling to the earth as he tried to figure out why his companion was in pain.

"Where does it hurt?! Are you injured?!"

Arthur began to panic. Not even a single moment home and already Merlin was possessed by something he did not understand. Was it the journey that brought this on? He did not believe it but what other reason could there be.

"Merlin!" Arthur repeated but the Warlock seemed unaware of his worried cries.

And when Merlin fell unconscious and stilled, the hope that flared within him from the other world began to dim.

Chapter 1

Merlin awoke as if he spent an entire evening and the whole of the morning drinking at a tavern that would have made Gwaine proud. The pain in his head that overwhelmed him so unexpectedly had subsided enough that he could finally form a thought or two.

"Merlin?" A nearby tentative voice whispered.

Merlin turned to find Arthur on the ground not far from him, his back against a tree and arms wrapped around knees bent to his chest. The troubled Prince looked tired and more than a little worn.

"I'm here Arthur," Merlin replied gently. "How long was I out?"

"I don't know. A while," Arthur answered, eyes distant.

There have been many times in the past where Merlin bore witness to Arthur's insecurities and fears, but there was something different about Arthur's visage this night. A fear of a different kind. A fear of loss and hopeless dreams.

"I wonder sometimes if I'm imagining things. That the past few days have been nothing but a dream. Wonderful and painful at the same time."

Merlin could see where this was going and made sure to assure him otherwise.

"It wasn't a dream, Sire. Nor your imagination. I have a bloody headache to prove it."

Arthur swiped a hand over his face as his body slumped backwards. "The magic brought us here and you just collapsed. I kept thinking, this is it, I'm going to lose you again. Taking you away from your world… only for me to lead you to your death—"

"I am not dead," Merlin assured once more.

"But it can happen, and it felt like it did."

Of all the secrets he no longer kept, there was only one that he was not quite ready to face himself let alone address to Arthur out loud. The question of his own mortality, or Merlin supposed, the lack thereof. At the moment, he just wanted to assure Arthur that he was okay.

"I think I know what happened to me."

Arthur's eyes rose to meet his. "Please enlighten me."

Merlin slowly opened his senses to the world and let his magic touch the earth, stretching it around them and beyond. The darkness that permeated the atmosphere was stifling but not quite as dangerous to his senses as it did when they first arrived.

"Dark magic has ravaged these lands."

Arthur exhaled loudly. "I warned you about that already."

"Yes, but I didn't expect it to affect me so drastically. It felt like getting hit by your mace, the Dorocha and a griffin all at the same time."

Arthur stood and crossed his arms, unamused by his examples. "Will this be a problem going forward?"

Merlin shook his head. "I don't think so. My senses seem to have adjusted to it. The imbalance of life and death in this world affected the magic in me. But I think its evened out."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "That's not reassuring me, Merlin."

"I suppose we'll know in the coming days if it worsens," Merlin replied blithely. "But I feel like I'm alright now."

"Very well," Arthur reluctantly said. "But for now, you'll rest for another day or two before we go searching for Iseldir and the others."

"Arthur, it's not necessary."

"We've gone this long, we can wait a few more days. That's final."

In the face of Arthur's genuine concern over his well-being, Merlin felt unable to try to convince him otherwise. Another day of rest will not prevent them from pursuing their quest to help Albion.

"Merlin?"

Arthur repeated his name for the fourteenth time and felt ridiculous while the Warlock sat eyes closed, cross-legged, in the middle of the Dark Woods, meditating of all things. It had been an hour since Merlin remained still as a rock and unable to be disturbed no matter how hard Arthur tried.

Certainly, he had grown past un-princely temper tantrums.

No matter how much experience the true Heir of Camelot has gained in the presence of different sorcerers, many of their ways continue to baffle him.

After their evening meal which was composed of the rations they brought with them, Merlin continued to regain his bearings in this new world and he recommended to Arthur that he may have a spell he could use to counteract some of the dark magic that ravaged the surrounding area.

Believing fully that Merlin knew his magic well, Arthur allowed it.

An hour or so later, he began to regret it.

Just as Arthur all about given up and ready to disturb him once more, a stream of ancient words escaped from Merlin's lips before his eyes snapped open. His iris's bursting unearthly gold and the hearth all around them began to tremble.

Trees that had been lifeless for years started to unnaturally move.

The evening, unbelievably, turned darker just before streaks of lightning illuminated the sky. The atmosphere changed abruptly, temperature rising and then falling before it was followed heavily by rainfall.

Arthur was at a loss about what was happening, but he could do nothing but trust that Merlin knew what he was doing. So he pulled into his cloak, lifted his hood, and stood nearby his unmoving friend whose eyes remained blazing, seemingly unconcerned about the chaos occurring around them.

The weather began to change just before dawn, and as the sun rose, the temperature cooled into a comfortable presence. The rain slowed to a light drizzle before ceasing altogether and beyond Arthur's world—weary eyes, he began to see paradise.

Arthur's jaw dropped as birds and all manner of different life fluttered around healthy trees and flora that were not there mere hours before. When he took a tentative step forward, he felt the soft patch of grass beneath his weathered boots.

It has been a long time since he stepped on anything other than mud, dead branches and hard rock in these lands and he knew by midday, their surroundings could no longer be called the Ravaged Woods.

As he processed what exactly just happened before his very eyes, Arthur turned to Merlin and could not see his friend.

He could not see the loyal servant, or even the warlock.

This is what the Druids told him about.

All those tales of myths and prophecies.

It was not until this very moment that it finally sunk in that this man was not just Merlin.

This is Emerys.

"Arthur."

Arthur's name spoken aloud jarred the Prince from his stupor.

"Merlin!" He was awake, finally. "What in God's name did you do?" It sounded harsher than Arthur intended, but he had been worried, and he could not quite process the miracle he just witnessed.

"I need to eat."

"This is hardly the time for food, what…" Arthur's words came to a quick end when he saw Merlin's struggle to rise.

Without hesitation, he rushed to his friend's side.

"So tired," whispered Merlin.

However Merlin achieved this miracle, it became clear to Arthur that it took a lot out of him, and again, he is reminded of just how little he knew about Merlin, the Warlock and his immense power.

Naturally, in the midst of this obvious revelation, Merlin promptly passed out.

"This is the second time you passed out on me in as many days, and there hasn't been many since we arrived here. Will this be a common occurrence? Because I'd like to be prepared next time."

Merlin took a bite out of a small loaf of bread, some cheese, swallowed and then spoke. "Sorry, Sire."

Arthur ignored the apology and went at him.

"You can't do this."

Merlin saw Arthur's anger and didn't know what to do with it. He'd tried to say the words but his sovereign cut him off.

"You cannot just do your magic and not let me in on the plan. I had no idea what you were doing, Merlin. If your eyes hadn't opened showing your magic in plain sight, I would have believed the world was coming to an end."

"I truly am sorry," apologized Merlin once more, properly chastised. "I honestly didn't think I could do it. I've never tried this spell on anything larger than a small rose garden." Merlin looked around themselves and noticed for the first time, "The sun has risen," he added with genuine surprise.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Of course it has."

"How long have I been out?"

"If you mean, how long since you sat there meditating to the tree goddesses, nearly the whole damn night."

"Really?"

"Is that all you can say? I am not that ignorant Prince you once knew, Merlin. Hiding everything isn't necessary."

Merlin's eyes widened comically, and Arthur was hard pressed not to look too smug about it. Since this entire ordeal happened, Arthur keenly felt he was the lesser of the two and it was not entirely unwelcoming to truly catch the Warlock off guard.

"I… I did not realize…" Merlin stumbled through his words. "You're right." Arthur nodded with a tiny bit more pride as Merlin continued. "These past years, I've rarely had to answer to anyone about my magic, perhaps except Gwen, but she's always trusted I wouldn't abuse it. I guess it's going to take a little getting used to…" he took a deep breath. "It's strange still, Arthur had only ever seen me use my magic a handful of times, and even then, he was a little…" He paused. "Uncertain with it."

"As we've already discussed, I am not him."

"Right."

"So next time you're going to do something, I would really like to be in on it with as much detail as you can provide."

"I will, Sire."

"Merlin"

"Yes, Sire?"

"Stop that."

Now Merlin just looked confused. "Sire?"

"Until Morgana is defeated, I'm just any other man. You are not my servant. Believe it or not, I have been thinking of you less of a servant and more of a comrade as of late."

Merlin's eyes glistened only slightly and Arthur could tell he surprised the former manservant. His smugness over it would have overcome him if Merlin didn't carry that look of joy. His admission appeared to Merlin like a great gift, and that fact humbled Arthur in ways he wished he could turn back time and take back every cruel underserving word he had ever spoken to him.

Suddenly, Merlin's head swerved sideways in a quick motion. "There's someone here."

Arthur pulled Excalibur from his scabbard. "Do you know where?"

Merlin pointed West. "Their footsteps are steady."

"More than one then?"

"I sense at least three."

"Magical?"

"I'm not certain."

Even though this part of the forest is well on its way to healing, the darkness encompassing Albion still made it difficult for Merlin to sense the auras of man and magical alike that would otherwise have been quite easy for him previously.

Arthur pulled his arm and led them toward a cluster of newly healed trees to hide them from view.

"Will you use your magic?" Arthur whispered.

"Only as a last resort," Merlin quietly replied. "I did bring my own weapons." His hand came down to the hilt of his own sword that the Knights insisted Merlin take with him even though he also brought himself his personal bow. "They're getting closer."

"I can hear them now too, you know."

"Oh."

"Apparently, you and I are going to have to relearn a few things."

Merlin grinned. "We are a bit out of practice."

Arthur peeked out and the tension inside him uncoiled. "It's Iseldir, Broan, and Ishtar."

Merlin shook his head. "Who?"

Other than Iseldir, Merlin did not recognize the names of the other two.

"Iseldir!"

"Your Highness, Thank God. You're alive." Iseldir rushed over and took Arthur's arm in greeting. "We began to lose hope."

Arthur straightened himself out. "How did you find me?"

"We were taking shelter over the ridge near the river when we felt the magic come alive here. We bore witness to this change throughout the night and knew something of significance occurred."

"Where are the others?"

Iseldir's eyes fell. "Catheon did not make it. Roan and Leos took the east route in wait. We meet back with our people within the next two moons."

"I'm sorry for Catheon's loss."

"Was it in vain, Sire?"

Arthur smiled softly. "You tell me," he said before looking back over his shoulder. "Everything's clear!"

"Hey now," Merlin stumbled out of the trees, "No need to yell, I could hear you all just fine." A butterfly appears around the Warlock seemingly out of nowhere. "Oh, hello there," he greeted the beautiful creature before returning his attention to Arthur's friends. "Hello, Iseldir," Merlin smiled at him then greeted the other two whose names he remembered Arthur speak of. "Broan. Ishtar."

All three Druids simply stared, and Arthur didn't know whether he should laugh or worry over the display.

With the exception of Iseldir, who had met Arthur's Merlin many years ago as well as most of his Knights, the late Merlin had become a subject of great mystery. A common-born manservant who died protecting the Prince of Camelot. Only a handful knew of Merlin's true character. And so far, Arthur and Iseldir have managed to keep the identity of Emerys and Merlin separate.

Immediately, before either Arthur or Merlin could stop them, all three Druids took a knee and bowed.

Arthur gaped at the three with a little confusion. Merlin, on the other hand, took it remarkably in stride.

"Please, you don't have to do that."

Merlin helped Iseldir up while Arthur followed his lead with Broan and Ishtar.

"Emerys. You are really here."

"This is Emerys," Ishtar spoke rhetorically.

Merlin addressed all three. "My name is-" Arthur suddenly elbowed him. "Ow… what the…" Arthur's eyes told Merlin that something was amiss.

"He is Emerys," confirmed Arthur.

Merlin nodded, now following Arthur's lead. "Uh… Yes, that is what people call me."

"I cannot believe it actually worked," said Broan, clearly the youngest of the Druids.

"Yes," agreed Arthur. "You three must be tired, Emerys and I was about to settle for a bit before searching for you and the rest of the camp."

The Druids nodded with eyes still fixated on Merlin.

"Excuse us for a moment," Merlin said before pulling Arthur aside. "What was that?"

"Iseldir is the only Druid aware of your name of birth. For now, I think its best that you simply be called Emerys to avoid confusion and unrest, particularly if Morgana learns of your presence."

"All right." Merlin didn't entirely understand but he trusted Arthur. "You could've told me ahead of time."

"Now you know what I feel whenever you pass out."

"Okay, must you keep reminding me of that. I said I was sorry. And the first time wasn't my fault."

Arthur and Merlin, along with their druid companions walked through the forest in companionable silence. Every now and then, they would converse with Arthur while he stood silent by. This is Arthur's world, and no matter his own experience, Merlin had no desire in giving his opinions until he understood what was happening.

Meanwhile, he was content to observe. Despite the occasional headache, his magic is assuredly growing more attuned to his new environment. He even made a new companion.

A few hours before, their party came across a small fox.

"I have an idea"

"And what's that, Emerys?"

A short stream of ancient words escaped his lips and the fox churned around, it's eyes glowed bright for an instant.

"Hey there." Merlin pointed to the fox who then raced towards them. He knelt down and held out his palm. "Hello little one." The fox began to excitedly roam around him until it settled itself underneath Merlin's warm hand. "I'm going to need your help."

Without further ado, the fox ran away.

"All right, what just happened?" asked Arthur.

"He'll stay ahead of us beside the path. I made his sight my own, and it'll allow me to see what's up ahead."

The druids, along with Arthur, looked at him in awe.

"I didn't know your kind could do that." Arthur asked, leaving the question open to everyone but it was Iseldir that spoke.

"Emerys can, but we cannot. We can communicate with the animals to a certain degree, but we cannot become them."

"That's not…" Merlin began to speak, embarrassed. "I'm merely seeing through the Fox's eyes. I can't actually make them do anything. They know I mean them no harm."

Iseldir could not help but look at him with respect. "You are everything we believed and hoped you would be." The other druids nodded in agreement leaving Merlin feeling quite bashful.

Merlin will likely never comprehend why they revere him so much. The power of his magic certainly had a lot to do with that, but he considered himself a simple man.

Not long after having the fox's assistance, a massive beast appeared overhead.

"Emerys. Get down!" Arthur ordered.

Merlin did no such thing. He recognized the beast as soon as he felt his presence nearby.

"It's all right, it's just a dragon."

"If it were your dragon, I'd worry less," Arthur argued.

Merlin saw the figure land not too far from them. "Stay here, I'll see to him."

"Lord Emerys, The Great Dragon serves no man but his Dragonlord. He may attack you," Ishtar warned.

"I understand. I'll be fine."

Arthur sighed. "We'll stay nearby. If he attacks you…"

"He won't."

And so Merlin went to face his destiny, a second time.

"Hello, old friend."

The Great Dragon bared its massive teeth above him. Merlin was oddly amused by the dramatic show of intimidation and remained steadfast, unafraid of the beast. He spent too many years with the old creature to feel the least bit threatened.

It took several long moments until the Great Dragon finally spoke.

"Who are you, Sorcerer?"

"Is that any way to treat an old friend, Kilgarrah?"

"You cannot be, the young Warlock is dead."

Two weeks since he'd learned of his death-minus the details-in this world, and the fact was still strange for Merlin to wrap his head around.

"Who are you that bears his face?"

"My name is Merlin."

"NO!"

Merlin wished he would stop replying so loudly, it was hurting his ears but considering the circumstances, he could hardly blame the old dragon for being resistant.

"It's the truth."

"I felt the light of Emerys die. You are an imposter!" Massive flames from the dragon came out from its mouth and Merlin instinctively reached out to block it. It took only a few seconds for the flames to recede for Kilgarrah to address him again.

"Who are you!?"

"I'm sorry old friend, I am who I say I am and yet I am not. If you allow me, I'd like to tell you."

And so his own tale began…

After Merlin finished his story, condensed though it was, Kilgarrah simply stared at him with those intense steely eyes, assessing if his words spoke a modicum of truth.

The Great Dragon lowered his head. "So the Prince has discovered a way to travel between worlds."

Merlin blinked at his words. "Hey now, you make it sound very easy."

"I never thought I would ever see you again."

"If it comforts you any, your mirror half is currently enjoying a well deserved retirement."

Kilgarrah looked to almost smile. "Hmm… it does give me comfort."

Merlin chuckled but then his face turned serious. "Tell me about Morgana."

Kilgarrah gave a tired breath, his answer grave. "She has grown more powerful since your passing. There has not been a witch or sorcerer who can match her strength. And she grows madder by the day."

Merlin sighed in dismay. "So there's no hope for her either." Thoughts of Morgana always left him feeling depressed. A small part of him hoped that there was something… anything that can redeem her in this world. The growing possibility of killing her again left a bitter taste in his mind. "And she can't be reasoned with?"

"Even now, after all she's done, you harbor hope for the witch."

"However wrong her actions now, I cannot ignore that there had been a time when she was a friend. And who would I be if I cannot hope?"

"Your compassion may be your downfall, as it was your predecessor."

Merlin would not be intimidated. "Don't misunderstand me, Kilgarrah. If it comes down to it, I will do what I must but never again will I commit murder against her. If she and I fight, she will be facing me, and she will be armed."

Kilgarrah did not challenge him. "You have changed much, Merlin. Not the young naive Warlock I once knew."

Merlin smiled sadly. "Time has in many ways changed me." Remembering Arthur's last words before his passing… "But I hope not too much."

"And I am sorry."

He tilted his head in confusion. "About what?"

"I sense a kinship with you. The power of the Dragonlord has been passed down."

"You finally noticed that, huh?"

"Was it Lord Balinor?"

Merlin gulped. "Yes."

Kilgarrah looked even sadder and with that, nevertheless, their conversation moved toward the business at hand.

"I take it all went well?"

"As well as it can be with the Great Dragon. He tells me Morgana's forward forces have been split in small groups. He suspects they're on the hunt for wayward rebels."

"I'm not surprised, but it makes our job even harder. The constant moving will disrupt our plans and delay us even further. We need to find a place where we can centralize our duties."

"There is one place you may not have consider."

"Where do you suppose that is?"

"The realm of the Fisher King."

"The Perilous Lands. That's…" Arthur shook his head. "Utterly brilliant. The lands surrounding it is desolate and unpredictable, making it difficult for even Morgana's forces to cross en masse." He slapped Merlin in the back. "I cannot believe I hadn't thought of it before."

Merlin felt very relieved that his suggestion was taken well. "So you approve?"

"While difficult to get to, once there, we'll be able to bring others into the fold and make preparations. We'll have to cross quietly to prevent alerting our enemies but its feasible."

"Then its settled."

Arthur felt the weight of his world on his shoulders unburden a little more. For so long, there has always been a divide between the fight with man and magic. The allies he made over the years since losing Camelot to Morgana was always tinged with the tragedies of past transgressions. Only now he felt with Merlin by his side, Arthur could finally unite them all and create an Albion the people of the realm finally deserved.

With that knowledge, he was relieved.

The war against Morgana has finally began anew.