Chapter 27 ~ The Duel.

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Maurelle froze as she gazed upon the island, halting her stride. It seemed untouched despite the centuries that had passed since old Albion. The sight trigged a feeling of suffocation in Maurelle's throat, tears welling in her eyes alarmingly. No, today was not a day for emotion. She had to stop her human feelings. It was hard, like it was the other days, the times when she desperately wanted to let herself go, speak freely, to welcome someone. 

And the lake that could be from those old days in which she loved, moved her uncontrollably. Fortunately, Mirror was there for her, impatient yet strong, and hurried Maurelle along excitedly. Mirror was strong, she was sure.

Well, at that moment the witch was also nervously hyped up. Today was the conquering day of freedom for her and her army, they would advance upon the aurors, Maurelle at their side, immune to the spells they would try to hurt her with. For Maurelle was protected by the old religion. Maurelle could not die from age or any normal injury. The only thing that could kill the young witch was a blade forged in a dragon's breath. Like the one Mirror was holding, the sword destined to fell the great Merlin and avenge her ancestors.

Mirror stood on the shore of the lake, Maurelle beside her. Mirror smiled down at her companion.

''Take a moment, sister, to gaze upon the site where we shall kill the villain Merlin and he shall plague us no more.'' She spoke smoothly, a cruel smile dawning upon her face. Maurelle watched her ''sister'' expressionless and swallowed, he face lacking the smile that she usually wore at the mention of Merlin's death. Now she just wanted it to be done. She was having doubts. Once again Maurelle forced the feelings from her body in desperation. No! She would do it! She would avenge her Mother, she would swell with happiness as she plunged the blade into the magician's heart. Yes. Yes.

Maurelle turned to look at Mirror, who seemed to have broken out of the silent gaze upon the water, turning to Maurelle.

''Come, take hold. We will go.'' Mirror closed her eyes, readying apparition. Another smile dawned her face. The time had come at last.

***

''There they are.'' Karil turned to Merlin with concern. ''Are you sure you want us to stay back here?''

The three of them, Merlin, Karil and Ly, were concealed behind the pike and watching the women come up from the shore to the level ground. Over the hour they'd had to speak with the wizard, the two boys had experienced nerves, shock and most of all, surprise, as they discovered more about Merlin. Though solemn (most likely due to the two witches set to kill him and an army of them ready to take control of Britain), the wizard had surpassed Ly and Karil in his temperament and nature. He was nothing like the wise old man they had pictured, even after centuries Merlin was still a little unsure of himself. He was also strangely compassionate for Maurelle, though didn't say much about the witch. That's what Karil picked up, anyway.

''Yes, stay here and don't come out until I need you.'' Merlin replied, readying himself to make an appearance. ''It is better if they do not know about you unless it is necessary.'' The boys nodded before looking back at the two witches. Mirror was turning in circles and began to call teasingly;

''Mer-lin? Oh Merlin? Aren't you going to welcome us?''

''And why would I do that?'' The wizard spoke solemnly, walking out to meet the two women. He saw the shock in their eyes as they registered his youth. Mirror was the first to recover though, regaining her cocky, triumphant demeanour. 

''Well, let me introduce myself.'' She said arrogantly. ''I am Lady Mirror Gorlois, last living descendant of Morgause Gorlois, the-''

''The monster of a century who poisoned the mind of one of my closest friends.'' Merlin cut in bitterly, staring at Mirror, who was regarding him savagely. Turning his gaze away from her, he addressed the silent figure behind her. 

''And you are Maurelle Pendragon. Daughter of that friend.''

Maurelle lifted her head and tossed back her curls, eyes cruel. Karil felt his insides contract. He had thought there was hope for Maurelle. But then again, he had always believed that. And he had always been wrong.

''I am Maurelle Le Fay, daughter of Morgana Le Fay.'' Maurelle stepped forward, eyes now alight with fury. ''Never again address me by that cursed surname.''

Merlin regarded Maurelle gravely and with sadness, annoying the young witch to further degrees. Her eyes glowed amber, sending a spell at the wizard, but he was ready. Waving his hand, he deflected the curse. It made her angrier still, and Maurelle began to attack the wizard relentlessly, Mirror joining her. Without words anger burned from the eye's of the witches as they were whipped up into a frenzy, angered to new heights as Merlin calmly protected himself from more the attacks.

Karil and Ly were unsure of what to do, whether to step in or not, as Merlin begin to gradually tire. True, he was great in his magic and capable of deflecting the spells, but as Maurelle grew more and more tired, so did he, even in his new, youthful body. But then the duel became stronger and more persistant. And that's when they were needed.

The boys readied themselves to assist the wizard as the duel drew to a peak and the two witches launched a wave of red stunner towards him. Merlin held out his hands to shield himself with a spell, but the unfair two on one battle meant he was surely going to fail, edging further backwards until pinned against the stone wall of the pike. The wizard was giving up hope.

Karil turned to Ly wildly and his friend nodded. Incanting under his breath, Karil charged, firing a stunner at Maurelle, Ly following  behind him to send one towards Mirror. Unfortunately the witches were to quick for them, spinning round to deflect the jets of red light, but it did direct their attention off the exhausted Merlin. 

In a flash, the boys suddenly hit the wall of the pike, slamming against the stone with force. Mirror was doing this with pleasure, letting her fury fuel this attack. But never should you let anger get the better of you.

Maurelle was frozen with horror as she felt something of emotion return. The sight of the two boys being smashed against a wall had triggered the feeling of terror and concern. She couldn't let anything happen to them, they were her friends, Karil was-

What was he, to her? He was more, she had felt something more. Forgetting Merlin, forgetting Mirror, forgetting her new, cruel ways, she let feeling take control and rushed towards them.

''Leave them be!'' Winded, Karil and Ly felt even more like they were suffocating at this cry, shock also stealing their breath. Maurelle was standing in front of them, protecting them with a look of concern dawning her face. Karil felt hope as he watched Maurelle with a dazed expression. But Mirror was regarding ''her sister'' with surprise.

''Maurelle, move.'' Mirror sounded like a school teacher.

Maurelle shook her head and felt panic rise in her throat. ''Don't hurt them, sister. They're my friends, leave them be.''

Mirror smirked. ''Your friends? I have a feeling you could be proved wrong.''

Maurelle felt a rush of anger now. ''Just leave them alone, ok? They have done nothing wrong.''

Mirror raised her eyebrows in disbelief. ''Nothing wrong? Maurelle, they just tried to stun you and I!''

Maurelle looked at Mirror with determination. Now her only thoughts were on protecting the two boys, not letting anything happen to them. She dismissed the fact they'd just attacked her. 

Mirror watched Maurelle's expression and laughed. ''Stop caring, Maurelle. They aren't your friends, they never will be. Why, if you knew what I knew you'd-

''I swear if you touch them, you'll pay for it.'' Maurelle felt more anger fill her. She could see Karil's face out of the corner of her eye, caring, hopeful. She felt more of that feeling. Oh, what was it? Love? Maybe. Something like that.

Mirror, meanwhile, was also growing angry.

''Oh, so you want to switch sides now Maurelle? What changed your mind?'' Mirror's temper came through loud and clear.

Maurelle was surprised by this change of character, but after a few seconds she returned to her determined demeanor. ''What have they done, my sister? Merlin must die, but they are innocent.''

''What have they done? What have they done? Oh, do you really want to hear what they've done?'' Mirror spoke with arrogant tease, still pointing her wand at the two boys.

Maurelle kept on glaring at Mirror. ''We should be attacking the guilty, not the innocent.'' 

''They're not innocent! No human being is innocent!'' Mirror shouted. ''How do think they got here, Maurelle? Well, I'll tell you; they've been following you about for the past few months, spying on you, plotting against you, and now, they're protecting the guiltiest of all.'' Mirror didn't seem to stop, speaking fast and furiously at Maurelle, who's face was growing paler by the minute with disbelief. 

''Why d'you think I had to send that bludger towards his head? Who got that poison into him?'' Mirror gestured at the boys as she poured out this information in a flood of words. ''I did all that to help you, to save you from them. Never never again call them innocent!''

Maurelle looked confused and lost. All she had thought of the two boys had been crushed by Mirror's words. And she knew Mirror was telling the truth. Maurelle almost sunk to the ground, all thoughts of Merlin forgotten. Had they really done it? Had they been her enemies all along? She looked from the boys to Mirror hopelessly and seeing her chance, Mirror herself walked over to Maurelle and put her arm round Maurelle's shoulders.

''My sister, you must understand that no one on this planet is ever what they seem. They lie, they cheat, they protect themselves, they only ever think of themselves.'' Maurelle clung onto Mirror, weak from confusion, glad to have someone to lean on. Mirror smiled, as always. How easy it was to manipulate the little creature.

Karil watched the scene in horror as he felt more of his mind returning after being slammed against a stone wall. Morgause and Morgana. Mirror and Maurelle. He looked at Merlin, who was gradually rising after his exhaustion.

With a deep breath, he saved Maurelle from her Mother's fate.

''No, Mirror, it is you who is guilty. Guilty of condemning the world when it is you who has committed the greatest sin of all.'' His voice grew stronger and Maurelle watched him. Karil felt himself smile. ''You have meddled with Maurelle Pendragon.''

Maurelle's expression changed into one of softness and then realization. Karil wasn't her enemy, he was her friend - no, more than that. She could trust him, he was honest, true, he had never given up on her. And Merlin, Merlin was not her enemy. Only one person present was. A person who suddenly meant nothing to her.

Pushing Mirror away, Maurelle began to walk towards Karil and Ly with a joyful expression. But Mirror, face dawned with horror and then insane fury, pointed her wand at Maurelle. ''Cruci-''

''Oh no you don't!'' Merlin spoke from behind, directing a stunner at Mirror. The witch ducked and began to run, realizing her plan was failing and there were now four people happy to hand her over to the aurors. Maurelle helped Karil and Ly up hurridely, exchanging a glance with Karil on the way that said it all. 

The four of them began walking towards Mirror, who was holding up a shield with her wand. It was all happening so fast that any of them could be confused, but at that moment there was only one thing going through the minds of the four attackers. Mirror Gorlois. They had to catch Mirror Gorlois.

But as they advanced upon the witch, something was happening. Wind was rising, energy filled the air. Mirror felt it, smiling as the conditions heightened in power. Merlin felt it, bringing the other three down just in time before there was a deafening boom and more than a hundred witches apparated before them.